The new Bill on Civil Defense Laws has been tabled at parliament and is under scrutiny during the November 2024 parliamentary session. It is aimed at ameliorating disaster management strategies and addressing the existing obsolete legal framework in disaster management. The laws put in place in 1986 after the Lake Nos disaster are considered outdated and inadequate for dealing with today’s emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic and rail accidents. The new bill focuses on enhancing coordination mechanisms, ensuring public safety, and establishing a National Civil Defense Agency for more efficient disaster response. It also introduces a special fund for disaster support and enforces penalties for non-compliance with civil protection laws. These changes are set to improve Cameroon’s disaster management system and attract international funding for better emergency preparedness and response.

MINAT Boss, Atanga Nj Paul, was before the Constitutional Laws Committee chaired by Hon Zondol Hersesse at the National Assembly, on November 19, 2024.