Regional conference on 'comprehensive disaster risk reduction & management in Africa'

Following the convening of the 2nd session of the Global platform on disaster risk reduction in June, 2009 by the United Nations, Governments and organisations undertook to strengthen their national and institutional capacities for implementing the Hyogo Framework for Action.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of the Republic of Uganda have agreed to jointly organise a regional conference on "Comprehensive disaster management in Commonwealth Africa.

Conference objectives

• Strengthening Government institutional capacities for mainstreaming risk reduction;
• Better understanding on strategies for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into development planning and implementation;
• Exchanging of best practice and lessons learned in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into all spheres of development;

Topics to be covered at the conference include:

• Comprehensive disaster management in Africa;
• Policy and legislative frameworks for disaster risk reduction;
• Strengthening government institutional capacities for mainstreaming risk reduction;
• Strategies for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into development planning and implementation;
• Strengthening government institutional capacities for mainstreaming risk reduction;
• Effective management of fire and ambulance services
• Safer cities, towns and schools in Africa;
• Community engagement in disaster preparedness;
• ICT’s for effective disaster risk reduction and management;
• Regional collaborative programmes on disaster risk reduction and disaster management;
• Climate change and disaster risk reduction and disaster management;
• Disaster risk insurance and practices with Commonwealth Africa;
• Exchange of best practice and lessons learned in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into all spheres of development.