PS says disaster management in Africa wanting

By FRANCIS ONTOMWA

Weather and climate-related hazards account for 80 per cent of natural disasters in Africa.

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Mohammed Isahakia said most African nations are vulnerable and ill-equipped to handle natural hazards giving way to disasters.

Isahakia made the remarks during an international conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Conflict Resolution at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

In a speech read on his behalf by Alexander Alusa, the policy advisor on Climate Change in the Office of the Prime Minister, the PS said that climate change remains one of the biggest threats to African nations, noting that countries should endeavour to increase societal resilience and vulnerability.

“We have a lot of conflicts especially at the borders and some of them, such as lack of pastures, are exacerbated by changing climate,” Alusa noted. The conference will run for a week.