ECSA-HC Supports Coping Capacity Assessment at the Zambia–Tanzania Border.

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional preparedness and cross-border health security, the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) supported a coping capacity assessment at the Nakonde–Tunduma One Stop Border Post, situated between Zambia and Tanzania. The assessment was conducted within the framework of the Joint Strategic Risk Assessment (SRA) led by the ministries of health from the two countries with technical backing from the ECSA-HC.

The activity focused on evaluating how well existing systems and structures at the border can manage and respond to potential public health threats such as disease outbreaks, mass movement of people, and emergencies that could affect both sides of the border. Through participatory discussions, field observations, and stakeholder consultations, the team identified strengths in surveillance, communication, and coordination mechanisms, while highlighting areas requiring improvement particularly in logistics, workforce surge capacity, and cross-border emergency communication.

The outcomes of the coping capacity assessment will inform the joint preparedness and response plan for the Nakonde–Tunduma corridor, ensuring that both countries are better equipped to detect, prevent, and respond to public health events at this critical gateway.