DG ECHO FAO and UN ISDR Drought Risk Reduction stakeholders workshop Nairobi, May 2010 Benoit Collin - DG ECHO Nairobi 1
I. Introduction of ECHO Humanitarian Aid department of the European Commission: Provides financial support to international humanitarian stakeholders for: Emergency assistance and short term relief activities to respond to humanitarian crisis in countries outside EU focus on most vulnerable populations Natural disaster preparedness actions +/- 800 MEUR annual initial budget (figure 2010, without EC emergency reserve 54 % allocated to Africa) 2
I. Disaster Preparedness in ECHO: Using Hyogo Framework of Action & EU strategy on DRR for developing countries 3 pillars in approach: Disaster preparedness and mitigation programmes (since 1996 - DIPECHO. Amount allocated to DP actions in 2010:+/-10% initial ECHO annual budget - 75 MEUR) Integration of DRR into relief operations Advocacy 3
I. ECHO Disaster Preparedness in Africa: 2 programmes on going: Disaster preparedness action plan in SE Africa and SW Indian Ocean (6 MEUR, 06/2010-11/2011) Drought Preparedness in Horn of Africa (50 MEUR, 07/2006 06/2010 + 20 MEUR 07/2010 12/2011) 4
I. Disaster Preparedness specific programmes in DG ECHO: Focus on natural hazards Focus on the most vulnerable groups in high-risk areas Short-term, community-based preparedness Very concrete, very practical - strong local ownership Pilot, create awareness, provide trainings and build local capacities. Feed development policies & strategies Drought preparedness programme specificities: Focus on one natural hazard Country and regional approach Mixing DRR aspects and early response 5
I. Some lessons learnt: Clear added value of community-based DRR initiatives in protecting lives and livelihood: Recognized cost-effectiveness DP as primary emergency response at community level Response to disaster create opportunities for DRR (lessons learnt from disaster, building back better) Choices made immediately after disaster affect long term recovery. Flexibility in funding for drought cycle management as key factor for appropriate response 6
I. Some challenges faced with: Sequenced approach to disaster cycle management (continuum rather than contiguum) Lack of effective dissemination / application of lessons learnt and good practices Low level of replication and scaling up of pilot programmes. Low level of sustainability of short term actions Humanitarian aid actions alone cannot be the solution. Need for strong involvement of development actors 7
I. EU DRR perspective: The EU strategy supporting DRR in developing countries adopted in May 2009. Increased synergies between humanitarian actions and development programmes ECHO DP projects still community based with focus on most vulnerable, but: passing from a demonstrative approach to a geographic/sector focused approach seeking to participate in larger DRR initiatives 8
II. ECHO-FAO-UN ISDR workshop: Positive interest on DRR in the region (ex: definition of DRR/DRM policies in the region) Adoption of Programme of Action for the implementation of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction in April 2010. Drought as a major natural disaster in Africa, in the region But: Drought disasters present specificities. Application of strategies/policies should better take into consideration the needs of the local communities. 9
II. ECHO-FAO-UN ISDR workshop: Building on existing technical knowledge/capacity; Using outputs, outcomes and lessons learnt of past and ongoing initiatives on drought risk reduction in the region; In the framewok of the Programme of Action of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction: Stakeholders meeting to define elements of guidelines for drought risk reduction actions at community level Elements to be used for priority actions on drought risk reduction in the region 10
II. ECHO-FAO-UN ISDR workshop: 2 days stakeholders workshop Day #1: Update on policies, strategies and lessons learnt from community based actions. Share information, update all stakeholders participants, in preparation for day#2 Day #2: Defining elements of guidelines for community based actions on drought risk reduction Work group and restitution. The matrix elaborated will be used for awareness and advocacy on priorities of drought risk reduction actions at community level. 11
Thank you... 12