Tanzania is seeking to strengthen its ability to predict, prepare for and respond to disasters through expanded technical cooperation with Turkey, including the use of modern technology, early warning systems and specialised search-and-rescue teams.
The cooperation is expected to focus on improving Tanzania’s preparedness for emergencies and reducing the loss of lives, property and livelihoods when disasters occur.
The move follows talks between Tanzania’s Prime Minister’s Office and Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) in Ankara during a working visit by a Tanzanian delegation aimed at learning from Turkey’s experience in disaster management.
Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Dr Jim Yonazi, said Tanzania wanted to strengthen its disaster-management systems by drawing on Turkey’s technical experience.
He said areas of cooperation would include modern disaster-management technology, specialist training, search and rescue, emergency response coordination and recovery after disasters.
“Tanzania will continue to learn and cooperate with institutions with experience in disaster management, including AFAD, to strengthen national capacity to prevent and reduce the impact of disasters, prepare, respond and recover when they occur,” Dr Yonazi said.
The discussions come as Tanzania continues to face different forms of disaster risks, including floods and other emergencies that can disrupt communities, infrastructure and economic activities.
Yonazi said strengthening preparedness was important because effective disaster management should not begin after an emergency has already caused damage.
He said Tanzania would seek to develop systems that improve its ability to identify risks, prepare communities and institutions, respond quickly when disasters occur and restore affected areas.
AFAD head Ali Hamza Pehlivan said Turkey was ready to deepen technical cooperation with Tanzania in disaster management.
He identified modern technology, disaster-risk monitoring and assessment, emergency preparedness and response, and the establishment and training of specialised search-and-rescue teams as areas where the two countries could work together.
Pehlivan said AFAD’s approach covers the entire disaster-management cycle, from identifying and assessing risks to prevention, preparedness, emergency response and recovery.
The approach places emphasis on reducing the potential impact of disasters before they occur rather than relying solely on emergency intervention after an incident.
AFAD coordinates specialist teams involved in responding to earthquakes, floods and other emergencies, as well as humanitarian assistance and recovery operations in affected areas.
For Tanzania, strengthening such capabilities could improve coordination between emergency agencies and reduce delays in mobilising personnel and equipment when disasters strike.
The cooperation will also involve capacity building for disaster-response personnel.
AFAD conducts specialised training and practical exercises through facilities including the Disaster and Emergency Training Centre (AFADEM), with the aim of improving technical skills, teamwork and emergency preparedness.
Pehlivan said AFAD also participates in international disaster-response operations through the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA).
The partnership provides Tanzania with an opportunity to learn from Turkey’s experience in deploying specialised teams and coordinating emergency assistance during major disasters.
Tanzania and Turkey are expected to continue exchanging expertise in early warning systems, disaster information, risk assessment, emergency response, search and rescue and post-disaster recovery.
The broader objective is to strengthen national and institutional preparedness so that when disasters occur, authorities can detect threats earlier, mobilise resources faster and protect communities more effectively.