Regional Assessment on Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Biodiversity in Eastern and Southern Africa

This regional assessment documents experiences on ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) and its linkages with biodiversity in Eastern and Southern Africa. It highlights key entry points and opportunities to catalyse actions for Eco-DRR that embraces the importance of biodiversity and ecosystems. Nine countries were examined for this report: Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The report further analyses the development of policy frameworks at international, regional and local levels. From this, it is clear to see the significant acceptance of the role that biodiversity and ecosystems play in disaster risk reduction. However, Eco-DRR is seldom incorporated into cross-sectorial policies and programmes, resulting in a failure so far to incorporate Eco-DRR into mainstream development initiatives and funding streams.

It remains a challenge to make the case for Eco-DRR in Eastern and Southern Africa as the economic benefits of this approach are often tied to offset costs that are extremely difficult to quantify. 

Key messages in this report are:

• The disaster risk profile in ESA is a combination of natural and anthropogenic hazards;
• Current trends indicate that disasters in ESA are likely to increase in both number and impact;
• Failure to address biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation will increase impact and reduce the overall resilience of socio-ecological systems;
• Eco-DRR is often being applied in ESA without being specifically identified as such;
• The application of Eco-DRR needs to occur at different scales simultaneously;
• Eco-DRR requires a multi-sectorial and multi-disciplinary approach;
• Community-based DRR approaches work and are cost effective;
• Suitable and effective policies need to be developed at global, regional and national levels;
• International funding support for Eco-DRR will be required in ESA.