EALA roots for disaster experts in the region

As Dar es Salaam grapples with devastating floods, the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) says policymakers should fully involve scientific experts and technocrats in disaster management in a bid to reduce and build resilience against catastrophes.

The Speaker, Mr Abdirahin Haithar Abdi, said when addressing a UN disaster conference in Geneva early this week that drought that is currently ravaging the Horn of Africa has long been predicted but nothing has been done to stem its effects.

"This is a clear sign of disparity between scientists and legislators…we need to urgently close ranks and begin working together for the betterment of the communities," he said in a speech availed to The Citizen in Arusha.
Mr Abdi called for building of new relationships between scientists, technocrats and parliamentarians "if meaningful advances in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and disaster management is to be realised."

He said Eala would soon call together regional parliaments to share experiences on disaster management and put DRR on the radar. He remarked that disasters were hindering development and that it was time for action.
Parliaments, he noted, must carry out their functions of legislation, oversight, budgeting and representation with more deligence "but must be true ambassadors who are accountable on disaster matters.

On what the East African Community was dealing with the issue, Mr. Abdi revealed that the EAC Transboundary Ecosystems Bill 2010 was likely to be brought before the House for its second reading when the Assembly convenes in Kampala, Uganda late next month.

The Bill inter-alia aims at providing a legal framework to streamline management of trans-boundary ecosystems with the view of enhancing quality of environment and ensuring sustainable utilization of shared natural resources.
At the same time, Eala shall look into the possibility and way forward towards finalization of the model legislation on DRR for the EAC region.

Participants at the meeting hailed the parliaments of Uganda and Senegal for the positive progress on the DRR realized. Both nations have a positive parliamentary fora on DRR, a move termed as positive in efforts to address disaster risks at the high level.


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