Progress continues to be realised in Africa towards accelerating the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. 

This outcome emerged at the 21st session of the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (AWGDRR). The Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE) of the African Union Commission, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda organised the session. The three-day event was held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 16 to 18 April 2024. It was themed "From Commitment to Action - Path to Accelerate the Programme of Action for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework in Africa."

Welcoming the participants, Hon. Major General (Rtd) Albert Murasire, Minister of Emergency Management in the Republic of Rwanda, commended the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction. "The Working group is composed of key stakeholders who can accelerate action to implement the various global and continental frameworks," he observed. The Honourable Minister also registered appreciation to the African Union Commission for choosing the Republic of Rwanda to host such a critical meeting. He then called upon AU Member States to work together in addressing disasters as they hamper development.

Addressing participants at the meeting, Mr. Harsen Nyambe Nyambe, the SEBE Director, noted the significant progress made in institutional development. He however highlighted areas that still require more efforts and resources and in particular early warning system, climate change adaptation and data collection and management. Director Nyambe also underscored the importance of synergies among different programmes and initiatives across Africa. He said, "It is important for all stakeholders to work synergistically for meaningful results, including in multi-hazard early warning systems, urban resilience programmes, and the Sahel Resilience Project. I also call for collaboration towards supporting our Regional Economic Communities."

Amjad Abbashar, Chief of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for Africa, noted, "Climate change risks are becoming increasingly complicated and difficult to manage. They are characterised by compounded and cascading risks that cut across several sectors." He underscored the cooperation between UNDRR and the AU Commission towards strengthened disaster governance in the Continent.

The participants shared updates on their progress towards accelerating the implementation of the Disaster Risk Reduction actions. The meeting followed up on the action points from the 20th session of the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (AWGDRR) held in Togo in October 2023.

Effective coordination within the disaster risk management sector continues to be realised. Some of the highlights included the following:

• Sensitisation through the radio, of the broader public about the hazards in the Republic of the Congo. The initiative was supported by the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD).
• Disaster risk reduction and climate information are now being translated into advisories in Uganda.
• The development of a disaster risk financing strategy which has recently approved by the Cabinet in Sierra Leone. The national platform on DRR meets four times a year. Additionally, the toll-free line 199 is operational across all telecommunication service providers in the country.
• The planned launching of the national situation room for disaster risk reduction by the Republic of Tanzania.
• Adoption of the Disaster Risk Management Policy (DRM) in Rwanda by the Cabinet in 2023. The National Disaster Risk Governance Strategy has been used to measure the resilience of national and private facilities in the country. The National Emergency Command Centre has been established in the country and is currently decentralised to the district command post.
• The development of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) regional climate change strategy that will be aligned to the AU Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032).
• The development of a crisis strategy by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
• The launching of the regional Institutional and Operational Framework for Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action, and the Roadmap on Anticipatory Action by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

• The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Emergency and Humanitarian Operations Centre (SHOC) will be operationalised by the end of 2024.
• Strengthening of urban resilience through improved tools in Morocco.

As the 21st session of the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction ended, stakeholders agreed that Member States need to be supported to benefit from the

operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund and technical assistance to be provided through the Santiago Network and via the established support mechanism comprising of AUC, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB), UNDRR, and other partners. Stakeholders agreed to develop tools to facilitate the collection and dissemination of disaster-disaggregated data. Participants agreed to communicate the Working Group's recommendations to regional and national stakeholders for implementation and reporting on progress and challenges.

The 22nd session of the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction will be held later in 2024.

About the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (AWGDRR)

Reconstituted following the request of the Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (Nairobi, April 2010), the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (AWGDRR) has been playing a significant role in providing technical support to the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States and partners for the coordination and implementation of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and its Programme of Action. The AU Commission chairs the Working Group, while the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), through its Regional Office for Africa (RoA), serves as the Secretariat.

The Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction is supported by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF 11).

For further information please contact:

Mr. Aboubakar Diane, Senior Policy Officer, Disaster Risk Reduction| Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy | African Union Commission
Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail: DianeA@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For media enquiry:

Mr Molalet Tsedeke | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission
Tel: +251-911-630 631 | E-mail: MolaletT@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ms. Maryanne Muriuki, Communications Analyst – Disaster Risk Reduction | Disaster Risk Reduction Unit | African Union Commission | E-mail: MuriukiM@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Information and Communication, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Web: au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube