The Acting Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS) for Kagera, Mr Bwai Biseko, has urged disaster management experts in the region to intensify public education on emergency preparedness at the grassroots level to enable communities to recognise early warning signs and take timely preventive action.
Mr Biseko made the call while closing a regional technical meeting that assessed and identified health-related risks and vulnerabilities in Kagera.
He said although the government has established various systems for disseminating emergency and disaster-related information, these mechanisms must be aligned to reach communities directly to ensure effective preparedness, response and planning.
“We have put in place systems for sharing information on emergency disasters, but it is important that these channels prioritise community-level engagement so that the information supports planning and delivers the intended outcomes,” Mr Biseko said.
He noted that the region continues to face multiple risks, including disease outbreaks and road traffic accidents, but stressed that water transport accidents should be given special attention.
He said Kagera remains particularly vulnerable due to its proximity to Lake Victoria and the reliance of many residents on fishing and other water-based economic activities.
Mr Biseko further called on experts to strengthen the collection, analysis and use of disaster-related data, saying credible statistics are critical for public awareness, coordinated planning and the efficient allocation of resources before and during emergencies.
He commended the technical team for conducting the assessment and assured them of the Regional Administrative Secretariat’s readiness to receive the final report and facilitate implementation of the recommended interventions to safeguard public health in the region.
Earlier, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Impact Control Coordinator from the Ministry of Health, Dr Saumu Nungu, said the meeting had identified at least 17 key risk indicators that pose potential threats to human health.
These include disease outbreaks, road, water and air transport accidents, illegal immigration, mining accidents, earthquakes, floods and soil erosion.
She said an action plan has been developed to guide efforts to prevent, reduce and respond to the identified risks.
Meanwhile, Kagera Regional Medical Officer, Dr Samwel Laizer, said effective implementation of the plan would strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacity, improve inter-sectoral coordination and enhance health security for residents of Kagera and neighbouring regions.