Thread by @DisasterKenya

@RwandaGov @PrimatureRwanda @UrugwiroVillage @RwandaHealth @RwandaUN @PaulKagame The Swahili say ''If you see your neighbor's head being shaven, prepare yours. You could be next. Next in your case isn't another explosion, but aftermaths of the current one.
thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/05/2…

That the entire African Continent, not just Rwanda & the DRC were caught pants down is no secret. The onus however, is on you to examine your national response capabilities & assistance to jurisdictions directly involved in response & aiding recovery.

The current COVID-19 Pandemic woes aside, the complexities of the 2nd Nyirangongo eruption in 21 yrs brings about various unexpected challenges to the Rwandese Govt, in view of effective assistance, in terms of both immediate response & long-term victim recovery efforts.

Assuming the Rwanda Govt has a Dept of Homeland Security (DHS), a lead agency responsible for Disaster Preparedness, Response, & Recovery. Did they anticipate Nyirangongo going berserk anytime soon, after 2002 ? The answer is NO ! Meaning Rwanda will face challenges in assisting.

From COVID-19 Protocols, to food & shelter, to pre-existing medical conditions the evacuees & fleeing DRC citizens. Have come with to Rwanda, the to do list is a lengthy one in all scores, the economic one being top of it. Humanitarian or not, it will cost the Rwandese taxpayer.

Assuming Rwanda has a National Prep'dness System that helps the Nation’s Emergency Mgmt capabilities & in part, prioritization of responses. There still is a pertinent need for funds, assistance both technical & in kind to help cater for the victims. Where will it come from?

Assuming Rwanda has National Preparedness Goals that identify & define core capabilities across it's mission areas. Capabilities forming the foundation for measuring overall national prep'dness & assisting in allocating resources to fill identified prep'dness gaps. Can they cope?

I am not trying to get smart here, or pretend I know it all as my background possibly suggests. I am seeing a repeat of 21 years ago. When I first led a team of responders to the last eruption. The implications it had on Rwanda 6 years after the 94 genocide. It wasn't pretty!

Recovery for those that have refuge in Rwanda will focus on the timely restoration, strengthening, & revitalization of various aspects including economic sustenance. Something Rwanda had not envisaged or budgeted for. Who will come to their aid ? The business entity called UN?

Like it or not, Rwanda will have to look into economic recovery for the victims. The ability to return economic & business activities (including agricultural) to a state of health & develop new economic opportunities that result in a sustainable & economically viable community.

Rwanda will have to self critique her. ability to address pre- and post-disaster housing issues & coordinate the delivery of resources & activities to assist the victims as they rehabilitate, reconstruct destroyed & damaged housing. Upon return to normalcy at the border with DRC.

With the effects of climate change expected to change the frequency, severity & unpredictability of subsequent events across the region, increasing the intensity of the various hazards, & impacts likely to affect regional health,resources & infrastructure. Can Rwanda cope?

Rwanda’s geographic location, within the East & Central Africa region calls for a robust Disaster Mgmt & humanitarian assistance program, to affords Rwanda the ability & the capacity to support national & regional Disaster Mgmt efforts. Where possible a Rapid Response Team.

It is time for Rwanda start looking at leading regional Disaster Mgmt & Response. Through International collaboration start fostering preventing, preparing, responding to & recovering from the myriad of disaster threats facing the East & Central Africa region,

Waiting for big brother to come in & help, will be too little, too late. Some brothers like Kenya or Tanzania, themselves need saving. In short, you are on your own !
@NewTimesRwanda @mlimakenya @NjokiMwarumba @PWMasakhwe_PhD @Hitlerlaw2 @VictorMwambacha
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