Disasters: Ministries, Development Partners join hands to boost Early Warning Systems

By Leticia Kahubire

KAMPALA

Government officials and development partners have agreed to strengthen collaboration to build Uganda’s resilience against climate-related disasters. This initiative, they said, will help safeguard lives and livelihoods.

Speaking during a meeting on early warning and anticipatory action for resilient livelihoods at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), representatives from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), along with Development Partners, emphasized the need for increased investment in Early Warning Systems.

The Commissioner for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Management in OPM, Mr. Davis Mwenyi, highlighted the growing threat posed by climate change and the urgent need for action.

“Climate change is not a distant threat; it is a present crisis demanding immediate strategic investment,” Mr. Mwenyi said.

He emphasized that coordinated efforts are essential to address climate-related shocks, noting that 66% of Ugandans depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. This dependency makes communities highly vulnerable to droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events.

Mr. Mwenyi explained that the meeting was convened to strengthen coordination, financing, and the scaling up of disaster risk management interventions across sectors. It also provided a platform to showcase results, lessons learned, and sustainability measures from the Japan-funded project on integrated early warning systems.

Mr. Martin Ameu, a representative from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, highlighted the importance of anticipatory action, noting that investing before disasters strike is more effective and cost-efficient than responding after they occur. He called for stronger partnerships, innovation, and investment to build a more resilient Uganda.

The Ambassador of Belgium to Uganda, H.E. Hugues Chantry, stressed that effective early warning systems are critical for protecting communities and advancing development.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Sasayama Takuya, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to sharing disaster management expertise and lessons learned to strengthen early warning and early action mechanisms in Uganda.

Participants also received presentations from the Department of Meteorological Services on the potential impacts of the anticipated El Niño, as well as preparedness strategies to mitigate and respond to El Niño’s effects.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment among stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and investment in disaster preparedness to protect lives, livelihoods, and sustainable development in Uganda.