<p>The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) passed this 'Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Bill 2013' in March 2016, in an effort to curb the impact of natural and manmade hazards in the region. The bill, the first such regional legislation in Africa, aims to enhance the coordination of disaster preparedness, management, protection and mitigation measures.</p>
<p>The adoption of the bill marks a significant step in Africa's implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 2015-2030, which was adopted in March 2015.</p>
<p>The bill provides a legal framework to assist those affected by climate change and natural hazard, as well as to protect the natural environment through integrating DRR and management practices in the region. The bill includes a provision for establishing a ministerial-level East African Community Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, and encourages compliance by, for example, enacting laws and regulations, taking administrative actions and implementing enforcement measures.</p>