Rwanda is set to participate in a workshop on the effects of El-Nino, organized by the Inter Governmental Authority on Development-IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC),

This was revealed to Sunday Times Friday by Chief Supt. Damas Gatare, head of the Disaster Management unit in the Ministry of Internal Security.

The workshop that kicks off tomorrow in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, is aimed at regional preparedness to reduce the negative effects of the predicted El-Nino rains, an d
The three-day workshop is expected to attract officials from ten countries including Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Eritrea, and Ethiopia among others.

"Two officials will be traveling to Nairobi to represent Rwanda by participating in this workshop,” Gatare said.

According to Gatare, the workshop will help participating members shares ideas in developing regional preparedness strategies, not only for the El-Nino period, but even beyond.

"Members will share challenges in order to come up with appropriate measures to prepare and reduce the negative effects of the strong seasonal rains,” he said.

He also pointed out that such measures can as well be applied when such related moments show-up.

He explained that senior forecasting experts from different countries will be in position to pass on information and skills that will be acquired so as to reduce the negative effects of El-Nino to vulnerable communities.

El-Nino rains that come as a result of temporary climate changes have caused floods, leading to the destruction of property in some parts of the region.

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