On Monday, 21 October, several events convened ahead of the Ninth Session of the Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (AfRP-9), focusing on enhancing Africa’s disaster preparedness, including through improving early warning systems and increasing stakeholder engagement.
The first-ever Early Warnings for All Multi-Stakeholder Forum for Africa was organized as a follow-up to the Multi-Hazard Early Warnings for All in Africa Action Plan 2023 – 2027. Taking place on the sidelines of AfRP-9, the Forum considered what is needed to accelerate the adoption and implementation of early warning systems across the continent. John Mutorwa, Deputy Prime Minister, Namibia, noted the need for plans and mechanisms that are fit for purpose and can be understood by early warning system users. He urged implementation of the Action Plan 2023–2027 to ensure its effectiveness.
Throughout the day, participants highlighted key factors for improving early warning in Africa, emphasizing the need for local community buy-in, increased stakeholder engagement, and investment in science in order to generate accurate information and warnings. The need for technical capacity and technological support was identified to ensure the long-term sustainability of such systems.
Recognising the need for inclusivity and collaboration to enhance Africa’s disaster preparedness, Pre-Conference Stakeholder Consultations were organized in preparation for AfRP-9. These consultations brought together a diverse range of voices to develop voluntary commitments and stakeholder position statements, as well as to elaborate key messages to advance and build consensus on a shared vision for disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Africa.
Also convening on Monday was the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Disaster Preparedness Workshop 2024, which focused on:
- enhancing urban preparedness in Southern Africa by strengthening government systems;
- enhancing anticipatory action in the region by taking stock of achievements, integrating preparedness into national policies, and identifying recent lessons learned; and
- strengthening regional logistical prepositioning by taking stock of current needs and capacities to develop a regional prepositioning strategy.
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All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For AfRP-9, please use: Photo by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth.
Early Warnings For All Multi-Stakeholder Forum for Africa
Delegates gather for the Early Warnings for All Multi-Stakeholder Forum for Africa
Delegates stand for the Namibian national anthem
Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for DRR, and Head, UN Office for DRR (UNDRR)
Hellen Likando, Director, Directorate Disaster Risk Management, Office of the Prime Minister, Namibia
Anderson Banda, Director, Southern African Development Community (SADC) Humanitarian and Emergency Coordination Centre
John Mutorwa, Deputy Prime Minister, Namibia
Delegates take note of the interventions
Harsen Nyambe, African Union Commission (AUC)
Agnes Lawrence Kijazi, Director, Regional Office for Africa, World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Loretta Hieber Girardet, Chief of Branch, UNDRR
Nihan Erdogan, Deputy Regional Director for Operations, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Office for East and Southern Africa
A word cloud highlights the key challenges faced for improving the coverage of early warning and early action across Africa
Queen Omagano Kamati, Mayor of Windhoek, Namibia
Mark Tadross, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Delegates break up into four groups to discuss: science, technology and innovation; governance and partnerships; all-society approach; and funding and resource mobilization
Pre-Conference Stakeholder Consultations
Different stakeholder groups meet informally throughout the day
Delegates exchange views throughout the day
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Disaster Preparedness Workshop
Delegates gather for the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Disaster Preparedness Workshop
Delegates exchange ideas informally throughout the day
Delegates focus on key questions to foster discussion
Around the Venue
Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for DRR, and Head, UNDRR, does a tour of the different information booths on display around the venue
Delegates meet informally around the venue
