The African Union Commission, through the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Unit, participated in the just ended Sahel Regional Workshop in Dakar, Senegal from 26-29 April 2022. The overall objective of the regional workshop was to build the capacity of national and regional stakeholders on harmonisation of disaster risk data and information management systems at the national and regional level to promote risk-informed and sustainable development in western Sahel and in the Lake Chad Basin.

The participants deliberated, among others, on the promotion of stakeholders’ engagement, involved in the process of identification, monitoring, surveillance and continuous assessment of current and future hazards and vulnerabilities. Further, the participants discussed development of common understanding of the significance of disaster damage and loss data as well as its application for risk-informed development to address transboundary risks.

One of the outcomes of the training workshop included the development of a clear understanding of the need to establish a system for the continuous identification, monitoring, surveillance and assessment of current and future hazards and vulnerabilities to promote risk-informed sustainable development.

Emphasis was also placed on the need for availability of disaster risk statistical data to national and regional institutions and organizations to contribute to better decision-making and support the disaster risk management; and availability of geospatially referenced statistical data to facilitate localized and accurate management of the consequences of disasters. Such data can be leveraged by national governments and regional organisations to develop and improve their policies and strategies. Such instruments can then be used to guide risk-informed development planning and investment decisions.

The event was organised by the UNDP Sahel Resilience Project. The workshop drew participants from the seven project countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal) including from DRR institutions, statistical institutions, and academic institutions, including the PERIPERI U network. Others included representatives from regional and sub-regional stakeholders such as the ECOWAS Commission, ECCAS Commission, the Lake Chad Basin Commission, the Liptako-Gourma Authority, UNDP (global, regional and country offices), UNDRR, UN Women, FAO and the Government among others.

For media enquiry:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communications Directorate | African Union Commission|+251-911-630 631; Molalett@africa-union.org

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Gatkuoth Kai| Technical Coordinator for Disaster Risk Reduction| Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, Department for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment | E-mail: KaiG@africa-union.org | WhatsApp: +251 909537884

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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