Member states of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) have convened in Kigali for a four-day session aimed at assessing disaster readiness, promoting collaboration, and exchanging best practices to strengthen preparedness across the region.
The workshop, which brings together representatives from EASF member states, has the main objective of harmonizing disaster and pandemic response strategies while formulating a practical implementation plan under the Humanitarian Action and Natural disasters (HANDS) framework.
Speaking on behalf of RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Col Claudien Bizimungu, Deputy Commander of the Engineer Command, emphasized the workshop’s pivotal role in establishing a dynamic platform for collaboration, exchanging best practices, and enhancing collective disaster response capabilities.
Col Bizimungu urged participants to approach discussions with openness, creativity, and a shared sense of purpose, stressing the importance of working together to build a safer and more resilient Eastern African region.
Brigadier General (Rtd) Paul Kahuria Njema, Director of the Secretariat of the Eastern Africa Standby Force, highlighted the numerous crises facing the region, exerting significant pressure on governments and communities.
He urged member states to fully engage in collective initiatives aimed at safeguarding the population of the EASF and the entire African continent.
Brigadier General (Rtd) Njema reaffirmed EASF’s commitment to collaborating closely with member states, the African Union, and all stakeholders to bolster its ability to respond effectively to crises.
The workshop, which began on March 25, is expected to foster greater cooperation among EASF member states, leading to improved disaster preparedness and response mechanisms across the region.
