MOMBASA, Kenya – Africa is stepping up efforts to strengthen its disaster response systems, with experts warning that inadequate search and rescue capacity could cost more lives as emergencies become increasingly complex.
Governments, emergency response agencies and humanitarian organisations from across the continent have converged in Mombasa for a four-day international conference aimed at improving cooperation, skills and equipment for life-saving rescue operations.
The November 3-6 meeting, co-organised by the Government of Kenya and the United Nations, comes against the backdrop of recurring floods, storms, building collapses, earth tremors and other emergencies that continue to threaten lives and livelihoods across Africa.
AIG NPS (NDMU) Director Duncan Ochieng said no country could afford to confront major disasters in isolation, calling for stronger regional partnerships and coordinated response mechanisms.
“No nation is immune from disasters, and no country should face major emergencies alone,” said Samoei, adding that cooperation, innovation and mutual support were critical to building effective rescue systems.
Kenya’s experience with structural collapses highlights the urgency of the discussions. The country has recorded 98 building and structural collapses over the past five years, resulting in 104 deaths and more than 80 injuries.
In many such incidents, members of the public and local police officers are usually the first to respond, often operating with limited equipment and technical expertise before specialised rescue teams arrive.
Beyond emergency response, the conference is also expected to highlight the importance of better urban planning, proper zoning and stricter oversight of construction to prevent avoidable disasters.
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Emergency Response Section representative Clement Kalonga said the survival of disaster victims often depended on how quickly and effectively rescue teams mobilised.
“The first hours after a disaster decide who survives,” Kalonga said, urging African countries to invest in trained personnel, equipment and cross-border response arrangements.
He said the continent had the human expertise needed to save lives but required stronger connections between emergency response agencies to ensure countries could support one another when national capacities were overwhelmed.
Participants are expected to examine ways of improving coordination between emergency services, civil protection authorities, military responders, medical teams and humanitarian organisations.
The discussions will also distinguish between Search and Rescue (SAR) and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), while exploring how the two complementary capabilities can be integrated into national disaster management systems.
The conference is expected to identify gaps in training, equipment, institutional capacity and regional cooperation, providing a basis for future technical assistance, partnerships and investment.
The meeting is receiving support from Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM), which chairs the Africa-Europe-Middle East Regional Group of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).
It will also assess existing rescue capabilities across the region, promote adherence to international standards and strengthen mechanisms for mutual assistance between African countries.
