Thematic session

Early Warning (EW) and Early Action (EA) systems play a crucial role in reducing loss and damage caused by disasters, especially when pre-disaster risk reduction efforts fall short. However, these systems alone are not enough.

As disasters increase in frequency and severity due to climate change, poor rural, urban and regional planning, and environmental degradation, innovative approaches to disaster risk reduction (DRR) are urgently needed.

Africa is disproportionately vulnerable to the devastating impacts of disasters. Extreme weather events, coupled with socioeconomic challenges, pose significant threats to livelihoods, infrastructure, and overall development.

Global agreements like the 2030 Development Agenda, the Paris Agreement, and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Sendai Framework stress the importance of investing in disaster risk management/reduction (DRM and DRR) for sustainable development

With climate change intensifying the magnitude, frequency, duration, and severity of climate-related hazards across Africa it remains necessary to create sustainable solutions that will address disaster losses, and the setbacks in development.

DRR relies on comprehensive legislation, standards, regulations and predictable budget that provide a roadmap for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.