Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 24 January 2015: “The implementation of the Africa’s Disaster Risk Reduction adopted in 2004, has led not only to a paradigm shift from crises management to risk management, but also increased awareness, political commitment and strengthened institutional, legislative, and policy frameworks, capacities, tools and mechanisms for Disaster Risk Management, including early warning and disaster preparedness for response.”

African Union Commission Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said during the official opening of the third African Risk Capacity (ARC) Conference of the Parties on Saturday, 24 January 2015, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma recognized the rage of natural and human-induced hazards and associated risks and disasters, with droughts and floods being the major ones severely impacting the Continent. She said, “The 2010-2011 drought condition which affected over 13 million people in the Horn of Africa and 16 million in the Sahel is a clear indication of how severe and devastating drought could be.”

The African Risk Capacity Agency (ARC), an AU Specialized Agency established in November 2012, will through the ARC Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd), payout US $25 million in drought insurance claims to three countries, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal. These countries of the Sahel region, which paid a combined premium of US $8 million, will use the payout to mobilize early interventions in response to drought based on pre-approved contingency plans.

“The payouts of US$ 25 million this year were released even before an appeal for aid to the Sahel was even formulated.” The World Food Programme Africa Director, Mr. Thomas Yanga, said during the opening ceremony. He also lauded the ARC Agency as a flagship project of the African Union and the United Nations.

The 3rd ARC Conference of the Parties also elected Mr. Mohamed Beavogui of Guinea as first African General Manager of the Africa Risk Capacity Agency. He will serve a four-year term of office beginning September 2015. He takes over from interim General Manager, Dr Richard Wilcox, credited to quickly establish the ARC, by transforming an idea into an institution.

In her remarks, the AU Commission Chairperson equally congratulated the Governing Board, the Interim Director General and the ARC staff, for building an effective, solid and responsive institution in such a short time.

Establishment in November 2012 through by the World Food Programme and African Union Commission, ARC currently has 25 member countries.

JEE/