Two key Continental frameworks towards enhancing disaster resilience in Africa have been launched. These include the Africa Institutional and Operational Framework for Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems and Early Action and COVID-19 Recovery Framework for Africa, which were endorsed at the 35^th Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government that took place in February 2022. The frameworks were launched by H.E. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of Republic of Mozambique who is also the African Union Champion of Disaster Risk Management (DRM). The event took place during the celebrations of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction that took place in Maputo, Mozambique on 13 October 2022. It was hosted by the government of Mozambique, and organised by the AU Commission and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

In his speech, President Nyusi passionately called for all stakeholders to work together and combat climate induced disasters. He also noted that Mozambique contributed very little to air and ocean pollution. As Africa, we need to have a united voice on how to collectively address the impact of climate change. He noted that whereas Africa contributes little to climate change, it is the hardest hit by the effects of the changing climate.  The DRM Champion also highlighted about his participation at the upcoming Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP27). “We shall be taking a package of climate resilience to further strengthen our call for enhanced disaster preparedness in Africa. As it is, every African should be covered by an effective early warning system”, he stated.

Speaking at the event, H.E. Amb. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, the AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) stated that “the African continent is the most vulnerable to disaster risk”. She emphasised that since 2015, the continent recorded over700 disaster events, which affected over 80 million people and killing over 66,000 people across the continent. Owing to the vulnerability of the continent to disaster risk, the AU Commission developed institutional Framework for Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action and its delivery Programme, the Africa Multi-hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS), she continued.

The United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Ms. Mami Mizutori raised the concern that countries with limited early warning coverage have disaster mortality that is eight times higher than countries with wide coverage. And in Africa, unfortunately, only around 40% of countries have an early warning system. However, she expressed optimism and underlined the importance of the AMHEWAS programme as being instrumental in strengthening continental, regional and national capacities to collect and analyze risk data.

The Africa Institutional Framework for Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action was developed with support by Sweden and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Sahel Resilience Project. The operationalization of the AMHEWAS programme is supported by the government of Italy and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) with technical support from the CIMA Research Foundation. The COVID-19 Recovery Framework was developed in a process co-led by AU Commission and UNDP.

Donors and partners expressed their support for the continued efforts to strengthen disaster recovery and investment in disaster preparedness. Key solidarity messages were delivered by Ahuna Eziakonwa, the Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, H.E. Riccardo Mosca, the Deputy Head of European Union Delegation to the AU, H.E. Amb. Alberto Bertoni, the Italian Ambassador of to the AU, Prof. Petteri Taalas, the Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Jagan Chapagain, the Secretary General of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) and Ms. Amanda Högberg, chargée d'affaires, Embassy of Sweden to Mozambique.

The Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Mozambique, H.E. Verónica Nataniel Macamo Dlhovo summed up the day’s discussions and deliberations stating “challenges are abound. Key among them includes increased nature of disaster risk characterized by high vulnerability, and increased hazard exposure and low coping capacities among the AU member states. These challenges are transboundary and require Pan African and global solidarity to support the affected communities. This calls for urgent action to support the implementation of Sendai Framework in Africa as well as the expedited implementation of AMHEWAS programme and the COVID-19 Recovery Framework for Africa”.

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed every 13^th October. The theme for 2022 ran on the Target G of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. The target aims to “substantially increase the availability of and access to multi‑hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to the people by 2030”. The efforts are also aimed at fast-tracking the progress towards achieving Agenda 2063. Strengthened disaster preparedness fosters sustainable development by protecting development gains, and also contributed to the vision of a strong and resilient Africa.

A field visit organised by the National Institute of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of Mozambique (INGD) on the 14^th of October. The participants visited the INGD Emergency Operations Centre and later joined a local community for a simulation exercise and the development of a contingency plan.

For further information please contact:

Mr. Gatkuoth Kai, Technical Coordinator of Disaster Risk Reduction, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, AU Commission; E-mail:KaiG@africa-union.org

Media contact:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke| Directorate of Information and Communication| African Union Commission |Tel:+251 (0) 911630631| E-mail: Molalett@africa-union.org

Ms. Maryanne Muriuki, Communication Specialist, Disaster Risk Reduction Unit,Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, AU Commission. Email: MuriukiM@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail:DIC@africa-union.org
Website: au.int| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube