Tanzania has backed a regional emergency response plan to address the anticipated impact of El Niño rains, calling for stronger cooperation among East African countries to protect lives, infrastructure and economic activities.
The country has urged East African Community (EAC) member states to strengthen early warning systems, share weather information promptly and coordinate interventions to minimise potential damage from extreme weather conditions.
Deputy Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development Kaspar Mmuya said climate-related disasters were not confined by national borders, making joint preparedness and response measures essential across the region.
Mr Mmuya was representing the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities), Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, at an emergency meeting of EAC sectoral ministers in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 6, 2026.
He said Tanzania remained committed to regional efforts to strengthen preparedness, noting that the country was continuing to improve early warning systems, weather monitoring, assessments of vulnerable areas and public awareness on disaster risks.
He also emphasised the need to strengthen emergency response mechanisms to ensure communities were better prepared to deal with potential disruptions caused by heavy rains.
The meeting, also attended by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation James Millya, approved the EAC Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for El Niño (EAN-PREP).
The plan seeks to improve coordination among member states in issuing early warnings and responding to the anticipated effects of El Niño, particularly in health, infrastructure, agriculture and food security.
Its implementation is expected to help countries identify potential risks early, coordinate preparedness measures and reduce the vulnerability of communities and critical infrastructure.
The meeting further directed the EAC Secretariat to mobilise resources needed to implement the plan and strengthen cooperation with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and national meteorological institutions.
The emphasis on regional coordination comes as East African countries seek to strengthen their capacity to respond to climate-related emergencies, whose effects can extend across borders and disrupt livelihoods, food production and essential services.