East African ministers endorse regional El Niño response plan

Monday 9th November 2026

By inAfrika Newsroom

East African Community ministers endorsed a regional El Niño preparedness and response plan at an emergency meeting in Nairobi on 6 November, according to reports on the meeting. The plan calls for countries to share early warnings and coordinate preparations for risks to health, infrastructure, farming and food supplies.

Tanzania supported the plan. Deputy lands minister Kaspar Mmuya told the meeting that Tanzania was strengthening weather monitoring and assessing which areas were most vulnerable, Daily News reported.

The meeting asked the EAC secretariat to mobilise resources and work with national weather agencies and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Reports on the endorsement gave no funding amount or disbursement timetable.

El Niño is a periodic warming of parts of the tropical Pacific that can affect rainfall patterns elsewhere. The Tanzania Meteorological Authority’s seasonal forecast expects more rain during November to January than during February to April in areas covered by its seasonal outlook. Local conditions can vary.

Tanzania has also issued sector-specific instructions under its national preparations. The national roads agency issued guidance to regional managers on preparing for and responding to adverse weather.

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