Reducing Loss and Damage: Saving Lives and Protecting Investments

Climate hazards are increasing in intensity and frequency, leading to a rise in the number and scale of disasters, and the African continent finds itself on the frontlines of this global crisis. These impacts are most severe for the world’s most vulnerable people and undermine progress towards sustainable development. Least developed countries, small island developing states, and landlocked developing countries, are most affected by disaster impacts while facing specific economic challenges.  

As part of the commitments of the Santiago Network to enhance the capacities of developing countries to avert, minimize and address loss and damage, this plenary aims to understand the technical and capacity gaps present in Africa in order to avert, minimise and address loss and damage based on country experiences. The session will have participants discuss how African countries can access the technical assistance to be provided by the Santiago Network, and subsequently formulate plans and policies to reduce loss and damage caused by disasters that utilise solid bases of evidence.