Sound the alarm: East Africa is defenceless

Recent tragedies show region lacks capacity to handle disasters right

In both the slum fire in Nairobi and the Zanzibar ferry disaster, rescuers laboured in their efforts

Two tragedies that occurred in the East African region in the past week — a slum fire in Kenya and a ferry accident in Tanzania — caught Nairobi and Dar es Salaam off guard and exposed the bloc’s frail disaster management mechanisms.

Over 90 people died and more than 120 were severely burnt after a fire caused by an exploding oil leak from a fuel depot owned by the Kenya Pipeline Company swept through the densely populated Sinai slum in Nairobi’s industrial area.

In Zanzibar, more than 200 people died after a ferry sank last weekend off the coast of Nungwi village, leaving Tanzania battling its worst maritime disaster in 15 years.
Despite repeated assurances by the East African Community governments that their countries are well equipped to deal with disasters, rescuers laboured to get people to safety, treating casualties, preventing further damage and managing panic — the key elements of disaster management.

East Africa now faces a huge relief and reconstruction effort especially since the two tragedies come at a time the region is reeling from the effects of its worst drought in 60 years.

While EAC governments have not estimated the cost of the damage nor indicated how much they will have to spend on reconstruction and compensation to families, economists estimate the bill will run into millions of dollars.

In its 2010 report, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says it spent at least $1.8 million in disaster management across the five EAC countries.

The Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors says Kenya has lost more than $15 million as a result of collapsed buildings in the past 15 years. Over 24 buildings have collapsed in the country since 1996, killing hundreds of people.

The two tragedies last week also brought into the spotlight the inadequate disaster response capacity in the region.

“No single state has the capacity to individually deal with all disasters as they arise. The five countries need to devote more financial and human resources to disaster management” said Odhiambo Makoloo, the director of the Institute for Law and Environmental Governance.

Experts warned the bloc is sitting on several disasters waiting to happen, as authorities have faltered in enforcing regulations such as building codes, public transport rules and settlement by-laws.

EAC member states lack a coherent response to tragedies, often turning to developed countries such as the US, Israel and UK as well as neighbouring countries for assistance.

Tanzania, for example, had to seek the help of South Africa to assist in the search and rescue operations. While the ferry was estimated to have been carrying over 1,000 people, only 197 bodies had been found by Friday. At least 600 passengers were rescued, government figures showed.

The failure by the EAC to put in place a comprehensive disaster preparedness policy means its response to high-risk events such as bombings, cave-ins, droughts, floods, epidemics and major accidents tends to be slow, poorly co-ordinated and unnecessarily expensive. This gap was evident during the Sinai fire when fire-fighters arrived late and the disaster zone remained largely accessible to the general public, creating confusion as crowds milled around and prolonging the time and effort needed to reach those affected.

Rescuers across the EAC lack essentials such as thermal-imaging and audio equipment that can help locate trapped people.

“Highly inflammable materials are still largely transported by road here, and spills are bound to occur,” said Uganda’s Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru.