Highlights and images for 22 October 2024

Disaster risk management and reduction is a complex, but attainable, endeavor that requires an integrated, cross-sectoral approach, innovative financing, whole-of-government and whole-of-society involvement, and accurate and timely data and risk information. These points were highlighted by speakers and participants during the first day of the Ninth Session of the Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (AfRP-9).

The meeting opened with a musical performance by the National Cultural Group of Namibia. In his keynote address, John Mutorwa, Deputy Prime Minister, Namibia, speaking on behalf of Saara Kuugongelwa, Prime Minister of Namibia, underlined AfRP-9 as an opportunity for experience sharing and peer learning among African countries to accelerate implementation of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and its Programme of Action for Africa. Master of Ceremonies I-Ben Natangwe Nashandi, Executive Director, Office of the Prime Minister, Namibia, called for AfRP-9 to chart a sustainable course for resilience building and risk reduction for Africa.

Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for DRR, commended Africa on its progress in building resilience, including the first adoption of early warning systems. He encouraged applying the Ubuntu concept that our shared humanity connects us all, to cooperate to fulfill the aspirations of Africa’s Agenda 2063. Anderson Banda, Director, Southern African Development Community (SADC) Humanitarian and Emergency Coordination Centre, urged mainstreaming DRR in climate change adaptation, risk governance, and national development plans.

Harsen Nyambe, Director of Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission, highlighted that in 2022 alone, disasters caused an estimated economic loss of USD 9.5 billion for the continent. He said to address these losses and challenges, Africa must cultivate the ability to feed itself even in the face of droughts, and put in place, among others, the right infrastructure and transportation systems.

Following the opening ceremony, participants gathered in sessions addressing a variety of topics related to enhancing Africa’s resilience and disaster preparedness. In a session on applying risk information for transformative governance, speakers urged investing in accessible data systems that include robust data collection and risk assessments, pursuing practical community-based solutions, and ensuring risk information can be understood by the most vulnerable. In another session, on investing to reduce risk, speakers recalled studies showing that Africa experienced total losses of 12.3% of GDP between 2015 and 2021 and that USD 800 billion is expected to be lost annually due to disasters. They identified the need for a review of the global financial architecture, noting that interest rates offered to African countries are significantly higher than the global average. Speakers also described innovative instruments for leveraging the needed finance for DRR, such as blended finance, debt-for-nature swaps, green bonds, and blue bonds.

Three thematic sessions focused on: risk-informed policymaking; legislation, standards, and regulations; and leveraging technology to reduce disaster risks, and losses and damages. During these sessions, participants deep dived into the key issues that need to be addressed to build the needed framework to manage disaster risk on the continent. The importance of data, joined-up decision-making, and implementation of standards and legislation was underlined by participants.

Working sessions were also held throughout the day to provide an additional opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders to engage in interactive discussions on the theme of AfRP-9. Participants used flipcharts, whiteboard, and small group discussions to develop and share ideas on topics, including reducing disaster risks on an urbanizing continent and mainstreaming disaster resilient infrastructure in Africa. Representatives of cities also showcased their responses to disasters using innovative methods such as Kenya's Lamu County's award-winning Emergency Operation Centre and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Bukavu Disaster Management Clubs.