ARUSHA - The regional parliament is putting more focus on disaster risk reduction as a tool to achieve sustainable poverty reduction.

A two-day consultation workshop organised by the East African Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources,  ended last week, in Tanzania, with vital recommendations.

Abdul Karim Harelimana, a member of the Committee, told The New Times in a phone interview, from Arusha, that deliberations on reducing climate change were highlighted.

 "Number one was having political will because wherever political will exists, it is clear that disaster risks have reduced,” Harelimana said.

"Two, was sensitisation, beginning with leaders themselves because it has been observed that some don’t see its importance. That’s why you find that most budgets are low on disaster reduction as the issue is left to donors.”

He added that having good governance and fighting corruption in all its forms was also a prerequisite.

The Rwandan legislator further noted that setting up related programmes in the EAC’s education systems was also discussed.

The meeting was a joint initiative between EALA and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). It also reviewed progress and challenges of parliamentary initiatives on disaster risk reduction in East Africa.

EALA is working with the UN to ensure that the region is disaster resilient.

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