Data collection for the 2ndAfrica Biennial Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) exercise officially kicked off, with the East African Community (EAC) and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) regional workshop. The event took place 18-20 June 2022 in Naivasha, Kenya.
The report is set to build on the inaugural Africa Biennial Report on the Programme of Action (PoA) for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in Africa that was launched in August 2020. The inaugural report covered 2015-2018.
During the workshop African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and partners shared their progress in the implementation of the Programme of Action for the implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop Colonel (rtd) Charles Owino, Director of the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), Kenya) called on thorough contribution of the participants, and emphasised on the importance of the workshop to gauge the implementation of the PoA and the Sendai Framework at local, national and regional levels.
On behalf of African Union Commission (AUC), Mr. Gatkuoth Kai, Technical Coordinator for Disaster Risk Reduction Unit noted that "Risk is much interconnected. Data really helps all of us to understand the complex nature of risk and plan effectively towards strengthened resilience to disasters".
On his part, Dr. Julius Kabubi, representative of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UN-DRR) Africa expressed the need for meaningful data to address the increasing number of disasters.
Member States were commended for their participation in the data collection for the inaugural biennial report. It was noted that over 91% of Member States participated in the process. The appointment of the AU Disaster Risk Management Champion was one key outcome of the report that was realised. The report also identified the need to strengthen the reporting on the Sendai's Framework's implementation on the Sendai Framework Monitor. Based on this, the 2nd Biennial Report aims to again detail the efforts, progress and challenges faced by Member States and RECs in achieving a substantial decrease in disaster losses.
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During the workshop, UNDRR Africa also presented on the Sendai Framework's global targets, and called upon the region to participate in the midterm review of the Framework. The results of the midterm review will help advise the global community, including policy makers on best ways to accelerate efforts towards disaster risk reduction, and set the path for risk-informed development beyond 2030.
The development of the report is being led by the African Centre for Disaster Studies based at the North-West University in South Africa. The centre won the highly competitive consultancy bid to develop the 2nd biennial report. The series of the data collection workshops is set to continue in the second half of the year, with the finalisation of the report expected in September 2022. The process is funded by the European Union through Intra-ACP 11th EDF Natural Disaster Risk Reduction programme and Sweden through UNDP within the framework of the Sahel Resilience Project.
