The government, through the Ministry of Health’s Emergency Department, in collaboration with key government institutions, has held a joint meeting to discuss sustainable strategies for preventing and responding to emergency disasters.
The working session, held in Kagera on January 27, 2026, brought together officials from the Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA), the Fire and Rescue Force, the Police Force, the Immigration Department, Agriculture and Livestock authorities, the Ports Authority, RUVASA, the Red Cross, and officers from the Mutukula border.
Kagera Regional Commissioner, Mr. Stephen Ndaki, said the region is strategically important in managing emergencies, including disease outbreaks and environmental hazards.
“The geography of Kagera involves interactions among people from different countries, increasing the risk of emergencies, including disease outbreaks,” Mr. Ndaki said.
He added that while the government continues to take measures against disease outbreaks, other disasters caused by climate change, such as floods, earthquakes, road, air, and water accidents, require sustainable strategies for effective response.
Mr. Ndaki stressed that working sessions with emergency experts help coordinate strategies to prevent disasters and respond efficiently when they occur.
Dr. Saumu Nungu, Emergency and Disaster Impact Control Coordinator from the Ministry of Health, said the main goal of the meeting was to identify potential emergencies and plan preventive and response measures.
“Through this session, we will develop a risk assessment and calendar to identify high-risk periods, enabling early action and preparedness, known as the ‘Regional Risk Profile & Calendar,’” Dr. Nungu explained.
Other strategies under discussion include forming emergency surveillance teams and creating a comprehensive disaster response plan for Kagera Region.
Kagera Regional Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Samwel Laizer, said the meeting would strengthen the regional team’s capacity to respond to emergencies, including identifying high-risk periods early, pinpointing the sources of disease outbreaks, protecting vulnerable groups, and taking preventive measures promptly.