DIRE DAWA—The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Council has committed to bolstering its disaster emergency response mechanisms in light of recent devastating landslides and floods caused by heavy rainfall. This decision was made during an emergency session in Dire Dawa City, where the council reviewed current disaster impacts and humanitarian responses.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, who also serves as the Chairman of the council, the recent weather events have resulted in significant loss of life, with a landslide in July 2024 alone claiming over 231 lives in the Gofa Zone. The session emphasized the urgency of establishing an effective emergency preparedness system to manage future incidents. Temesgen highlighted the necessity of revising government disaster risk management frameworks to ensure proactive responses and crisis management.

The council has initiated measures to enhance disaster prevention activities and provide timely information to at-risk populations, with a focus on relocation if necessary. The Deputy Prime Minister underscored the importance of improving relief support for displaced individuals and seeking long-term solutions to these recurring disasters. Coordination with various regional authorities will continue to bolster rehabilitation efforts for those affected by previous conflicts and natural disasters.

Director General of the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute, Fetene Teshome, noted that the current rainy season, influenced by La Niña, is expected to persist with above-normal rainfall through September, posing continued risks to the Abbay, Awash, Baro Akobo, and other river basins. Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commissioner Shiferaw Teklemaryam reported that proactive evacuations from areas vulnerable to floods and landslides are underway and emphasized the importance of heeding early warnings to mitigate further impacts.