Reducing Disaster Risk on an Urbanizing Continent

As Africa experiences unprecedented levels of urbanization, the continent is confronted with a complex set of challenges that threaten its economic, social, and environmental development. Natural hazards, climate change, epidemics, conflicts, and governance issues converge in cities, increasing disaster risk. Urban areas, characterized by their dense populations and critical infrastructure, are particularly vulnerable to these pressures. The urbanization process itself often accelerates environmental degradation, contributes to the climate crisis, and increases disaster risks through unsustainable land use, rising energy demands, and dependence on fossil fuels. 

Local governments are on the frontlines of these challenges, yet they frequently operate with limited resources, fragmented coordination, and inadequate capacity to manage disaster risks effectively. While there have been pockets of progress, the mid-term review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) reveals substantial gaps in aligning DRR efforts with climate and environmental strategies and in empowering local authorities to lead DRR initiatives. With the Sendai Framework’s Target E calling for robust national and local DRR strategies, there is a pressing need to close these gaps and enhance decentralized DRR governance structures. 

This session is designed for DRR actors at the international, regional, national, and local levels, including policymakers, practitioners, and representatives from civil society organizations. The primary focus is on those who work directly with local governments, intending to equip them with the knowledge and tools necessary to drive disaster resilience in rapidly urbanizing environments.