Regional DRR platform explores how to build a more resilient Africa

The Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (AfRP) - the main disaster risk reduction (DRR) coordination mechanism for Africa - brought together stakeholders representing a diverse range of sectors, from local communities to subnational, national, and regional governments, to share experiences and exchange ideas on how to translate DRR knowledge into action to build a more resilient Africa.

While "[t]he multiplicity of hazards that exist on the African continent, such as earthquakes, droughts, floods, tropical storms, and landslides, means that the threat of disasters is never far," the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary report of the meeting underscores that, "given sufficient information, foresight, and planning, this threat - or risk - of disasters can be reduced and managed to minimize loss and damage."

AfRP's ninth meeting (AfRP-9) focused on the theme, 'Act Now for the Resilient Africa We Want.' Participants discussed issues critical for enhancing Africa's disaster preparedness, including:

• Applying risk information for transformative governance;
• Investing to reduce risk by changing the way money is spent; and
• Reducing loss and damage by saving lives and protecting investments.

A combination of plenary, thematic, and working sessions provided delegates with the opportunity to explore these topics in detail and "chart a path forward for Africa's resilience," ENB notes.

Among key messages that emerged from the Forum, ENB highlights the recognition that "early warning and early action are essential for reducing disaster risk and minimizing the loss and damage from disasters." "Such early warning and action," it writes, "require effective collaboration across the whole of society and government," as well as "a paradigm shift from reactive action to proactive planning." The meetings acknowledged the Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS) Programme as an important mechanism for proactive action on the continent.

Convening back-to-back with AfRP-9, the eighth High-level Meeting on DRR adopted the outcome of the Forum. The Windhoek Declaration calls upon member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), local authorities, the private sector, civil society, and all members of society to play a part in implementing disaster risk management (DRM) activities. It also urges countries and other relevant bodies to mainstream DRR in development programmes in all sectors.

AfRP-9 convened in Windhoek, Namibia, from 22-24 October 2024. The eighth High-level Meeting on DRR met on 24 October. Hosted by the Government of Namibia, the two events were organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The Early Warnings for All Multi-Stakeholder Forum for Africa, Pre-Conference Stakeholder Consultations, and the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Disaster Preparedness Workshop 2024 took place immediately prior, on 21 October. See ENB Coverage of AfRP-9 and Related Events.