IGAD Disaster Risk Management Programme

IGAD DRM Programme Overview

The IGAD Disaster Risk Management (DRM) programme was initiated in 2004, and since its inception, it has played a pivotal role in advancing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) efforts within the IGAD region. The programme has achieved significant milestones by facilitating the development of regional and national policies and strategies, establishing a robust regional platform for discussing DRM Agendas, and enhancing the disaster response capabilities of Member States to effectively anticipate, prepare for, and respond to disaster events. In line with the evolving priorities and global frameworks, the programme has undergone revisions to align with the four core priorities of the Sendai Framework. These priorities encompass enhancing risk knowledge, fostering effective disaster risk governance, promoting investment in DRR for building resilience, and strengthening preparedness mechanisms.

The overarching objective of the programme is to reduce the adverse impacts of disasters, particularly minimizing the number of people affected and damage to infrastructure by such events. To achieve this goal, the programme focuses on the implementation of improved multi-hazard early warning systems, enabling timely and accurate dissemination of critical information to the focal institutions of member states. Moreover, the programme places a strong emphasis on promoting climate-resilient livelihoods across the region, ensuring that vulnerable communities are better equipped to adapt and withstand the challenges posed by a changing climate. By aligning with international frameworks and prioritizing proactive measures, the IGAD DRM programme is well-positioned to make a tangible difference in disaster risk reduction and community resilience. As it continues to evolve and adapt to emerging challenges, the programme remains committed to its mission of safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems in the face of disasters.

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Key Priorities of the Programme

Policy, Strategy, Frameworks and Coordination

The DRM programme aims at developing regional and national disasters preparedness, national disaster risk reduction strategies, policies and frameworks to strengthen risk governance.

Multi-hazard Early Warnings Systems

IGAD has developed an institutional and operational framework for Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems aligned to the African Union Commission (AUC). The regional framework promotes multi-hazard and multi-sectoral approach to Early Warning Systems with the Situation Room as a delivery mechanism. The overall objective of the IGAD Multi-hazard Early Warning System is to reduce disaster impacts (loss of lives, livelihoods and damage of infrastructure) through timely early warning that is systematically linked with the Member States.

Risk Assessment and Mapping

Two regional atlases were produced in close consultation with Member States. The Climate Risk and Food Security Atlas (2017) and the Regional Atlas of major hazards (2013), which identified drought, floods, the Tsetse Fly, the Desert Locust and earthquakes as main disasters in the region. The IGAD DRM programme also developed regional risk profiles including the flood risk profile, regional displacement risk profile, and cyclone risk profile.

Anticipatory Action | Early Action

Early Warning Systems should be tied to early action or anticipatory action. Anticipatory Actions are a set of pre-identified actions taken based on pre-defined thresholds and triggers with pre-arranged financing. IGAD has developed a roadmap/framework to guide the regional efforts to implement the transition from reactive to pro-active approaches in dealing with disaster risks in the IGAD region

Capacity Development

The programme undertake several technical trainings at regional and national levels. Some of the training topics include hazard and risk assessment using Earth Observation and GIS technologies, hazard monitoring and Early Warning Systems, community-based Disaster Risk Management and Adaptation, Post Disaster Needs Assessment and Disaster Recovery Frameworks, Risk communication and media, among others. The programme also facilitates Member States secondment to ICPAC situation room

Climate Smart Livelihoods for Resillience

The programme aims to promote climate-smart livelihoods, enhance climate change adaptation, and build community resilience. As part of its efforts, IGAD has implemented a successful pilot climate-smart agriculture project in the semi-arid regions of Kenya, specifically in Kulaan, Dadaab, Garissa County. This project serves as a compelling example of the significance of community-based adaptation interventions in the face of compounding disasters and shocks, leading to cascading impacts. The pilot project has demonstrated positive outcomes, including livelihood diversification, increased household income, employment and empowerment for women and youth, improved soil nutrient management, heightened resilience of the ecosystem, and enhanced water management systems. These successes highlight the potential for sustainable development and upliftment of local communities. Building on the achievements of the pilot, the programme is committed to scaling up its efforts and expanding to similar fragile ecosystems within the region. By replicating and extending the project's initiatives, IGAD seeks to extend the benefits of climate-smart practices to more communities, helping them cope with climate change and other risk drivers and multipliers and ensuring their long-term sustainability. Through investment in climate-smart livelihoods and community-based adaptation strategies, the programme envisions a resilient and prosperous future for the region. By empowering local communities to become more climate-resilient, it aims to foster sustainable development, safeguard natural resources, and improve the overall well-being of the people in the face of a changing climate.

Partnerships and Collaborations

We strongly believe that quality public services require strong partnerships. Our partners help us continuously improve our Disaster Risk Management services and be at the forefront of multi-hazards detection, monitoring and management based on earth observation and climate forecast data, emerging technologies and optimal techniques. We are always striving to build alliances that help us continuously improve our services

Data Tools and Early Warning Systems

ICPAC Geoportal

A web-based platform for sharing and disseminating data and information to monitor climate and associated hazards in the Greater Horn of Africa region.

IGAD Geoportal

IGAD Spatial web portal is a platform that facilitates the creation, sharing and collaborative use of geospatial data. It enables users to find, view, query, analyze, and consume geospatial data and web services published by their servers and those of third parties.

East Africa Hazards Watch

The system supports tracking extreme events such as drought, cyclones, pests (desert locust), heavy rainfall, floods or crop failures, which are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change.

East Africa Drought Watch

A near-real time system that uses Earth Observation and Weather information to monitor drought conditions in the East Africa region.

East Africa Agriculture Watch

The system provides early warning information on food production anomalies as a consequence of climate variability and extremes, particularly relevant with the increasing frequency of climate extremes caused by climate change.

GMES and Africa - ICPAC

GMES & Africa - ICPAC supports East African countries to use Earth Observation (EO) data and technologies to monitor natural resources and food security.