HANDS Member States Mapping Capabilities Workshop in Kigali Rwanda

The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) launched a five-day workshop for mapping Member States capabilities for Humanitarian Action and Natural disasters (HANDS) on 25th March 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The workshop's main objective is to harmonize disaster and pandemic response strategies across the EASF region while formulating a practical implementation plan for proactive action under the HANDS framework.

On behalf of Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff, Col Claudien Bizimungu, the Deputy Commander of the Engineer Command officiated the opening ceremony. He emphasized the workshop's role as a catalyst for establishing a dynamic platform conducive to collaboration, exchanging best practices and enhancing collective disaster response capabilities.
The Director of EASF Secretariat, Brig (Rtd) Paul Kahuria Njema in his remarks highlighted the Regions' multiple crises exerting significant pressure on Governments and communities and urged Member States to fully engage in collective initiatives towards safeguarding the EASF population and the entire African Continent.

Supported by the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Programme, this workshop focuses on assessing the disaster readiness of Member States, promoting collaboration, exchanging best practices to strengthen preparedness, and emphasizing the importance of working towards building a safer, more resilient Eastern African Region.