Regional Cooperation and Disaster Preparedness

Moroni, Comoros, 25 August 2026 In supporting efforts to assess regional cooperation and disaster preparedness of the region, the EASF Director Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga and experts on humanitarian assistance and natural disaster support(HANDS) are today participating in the `CYCLONE NOURA` simulation exercise in the union of Comoros as observers.

 The  simulation exercise that is using a realistic scenario involving an intense tropical cyclone named NOURA brings together key national institutions, humanitarian partners, development partners and regional actors  and aims at  assessing  the effectiveness of existing disaster preparedness, response and emergency financing arrangements while also providing   an opportunity to strengthen coordination between national authorities and regional capabilities that could be mobilized when a disaster exceeds national response capacities.

Speaking during the official opening of the exercise, the Minister of the Interior, Decentralization and Territorial Administration of the Union of Comoros, H.E. Mohamed Ahmed Assoumani, underscored the country's significant exposure to natural hazards, including cyclones, floods, epidemics, seismic activity and volcanic hazards.

He recalled the devastating impact of Cyclone Kenneth in April 2019, which affected approximately 345,000 people in the Comoros, as well as Cyclone Chido in December 2024, which once again tested the resilience of communities in Anjouan and Mohéli before causing extensive devastation in Mayotte.

The Minister also highlighted significant progress made by the Government of the Union of Comoros in strengthening its disaster management and resilience framework and focuses on the speed and effectiveness of decision making, coordination and the activation of emergency resources, while testing the REPAIR emergency financing mechanism.

The minister also noted that the exercise will focus on gender equality and social inclusion as disasters do not affect all members of society equally, he pointed out that Women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities are often disproportionately affected during emergencies and therefore the integration of gender and inclusion considerations into the exercise seeks to ensure that disaster response planning is aware of the needs of different groups.

In his remarks, the Director of EASF Brig. Gen Rwivanga expressed appreciation to the Government and people of the Union of Comoros for inviting EASF to participate in the important exercise, noting that EASF’s presence provides an opportunity to better understand and appreciate the national procedures for disaster response, while contributing towards a regional perspective to the exercise.

The simulation exercise will provide an important platform for participating institutions to identify strengths, gaps and areas requiring improvement in disaster management within the region.