Developing and enforcing building codes could help East African countries to better withstand the effects of earthquakes, floods and other catastrophes.

That’s according to a UN expert on disaster risk reduction, speaking in the aftermath of the magnitude 5.9 quake which struck Tanzania on Saturday.

At least 16 people died in the disaster while 840 buildings were destroyed and more than 1,200 other structures were damaged.

Amjad Abbashar heads the regional office of the UN’s office for disaster risk reduction, known as UNISDR, which is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Assumpta Massoi asked him if the Tanzania earthquake was a rare phenomenon.

Duration: 3’31”