Reflections from the Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction – By Adessou Kossivi, GNDR Regional Lead for Africa.
The Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, hosted by the Government of Namibia, provided a vital opportunity to evaluate progress and plan forward under the theme of “Enhancing community resilience in the face of increasing disaster frequency and intensity.”
The platform mapped the current disaster landscape across the continent, highlighting the prevalence of hydrometeorological hazards that continue to severely impact African nations. While the number of programmes and initiatives addressing disaster risks is growing, so too are the frequency and intensity of hazards, along with their devastating consequences.
Key insights and challenges
A major concern raised during the platform was the ongoing weakness in preparedness. Limited capacity to predict and forecast disasters early enough to mitigate their impacts remains a significant barrier. Although notable progress has been made in predicting hydrometeorological events, challenges related to communication and accessibility hinder the efficiency of these advances. Improving the dissemination of early warning information and ensuring it reaches vulnerable communities are critical steps towards enhanced preparedness.
In the health sector, the platform emphasised the need to intensify efforts to minimise the impacts of biological hazards, such as epidemics, on the daily lives of communities. Strengthening health systems and integrating them into broader DRR strategies is essential to building resilience.
Showcasing solutions and advocacy for the Sendai Framework Goals
The platform also served as a space to showcase and advocate for initiatives that, if scaled up, could significantly contribute to achieving the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Africa. These initiatives demonstrate the potential of collaborative and inclusive approaches to DRR.
GNDR’s contributions to the Africa Regional Platform
GNDR was proud to play a pivotal role in shaping the event and driving it towards its goals:
- Reorganising CSOs for DRR advocacy: GNDR led the launch of the African CSOs Working Group on DRR prior to the platform. This group aims to support national governments in implementing and achieving their DRR strategies effectively.
- Inclusion and Displacement Advocacy: Collaborating with other CSOs, GNDR organised events promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities and addressing displacement as a consequence of disasters. These discussions highlighted the need for inclusive policies that leave no one behind.
- Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus: GNDR also spotlighted the importance of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus, aligning with the learning from our Locally-Led Humanitarian Solutions project that we have launched in 11 countries worldwide. This approach emphasises the integration of DRR into broader developmental and peacebuilding efforts.
Looking ahead
The Africa Regional Platform underscored the urgency of scaling up successful DRR initiatives and breaking down barriers to effective disaster management. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders and promoting inclusive, localised solutions, the continent can move closer to achieving the Sendai Framework goals and building resilience in communities most at risk.
GNDR remains committed to advocating for and supporting these efforts, ensuring that the voices of frontline communities are heard and prioritised in DRR strategies across Africa.