About UNODC Eastern Africa

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The UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa covers 13 countries: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda.

Our technical support is assisting East African Governments in tackling major challenges related to drugs, crime, justice services, health and terrorism, in a more comprehensive and focused manner.

The complex challenges facing these countries in the area of human security demand a comprehensive and coherent approach. Through our Regional Office, UNODC has developed extensive knowledge of the drugs and crime situation in the region. We have strong cooperation links with relevant national authorities and partner organizations. Moreover, UNODC has unique expertise in addressing illicit trafficking and organized crime, as well as their linkages to corruption and terrorism.

Regional Programme for Eastern Africa

In close consultation with the countries in the region, UNODC developed a Regional Programme for Eastern Africa. This programme, entitled Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in Eastern Africa, runs from 2016 to 2021. Its overall objective is to support the efforts of Member States in the region to respond to evolving human security threats, with a focus on achieving a tangible impact.

Our Regional Programme comprises five Sub-Programmes, or pillars:

  1. Countering Transnational Organized Crime and Trafficking
  2. Countering Corruption
  3. Terrorism Prevention
  4. Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
  5. Prevention of Drug Use, Treatment and Care of Drug Use Disorders and HIV and AIDS Prevention and Care.

Implementation is led by the UNODC Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, in conjunction with Sub-Programme Managers and the following 'entities' to ensure effective implementation:

  • The Regional Section for Africa and the Middle East (RSAME)
  • Integrated Programme and Oversight Branch (IPB)
  • Division for Operations (DO) and the UNODC Headquarters in Vienna.

Our Regional Office was established in 1988 in Kenya and is situated at the United Nations Office at Nairobi.

See also Leadership.