Building resilience to Disasters
The IGAD Disaster Risk Management (DRM) programme was launched in 2004. Since then, it has contributed to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the IGAD region through the development
of national policies and strategies, providing a regional platform to discuss the DRM Agendas and developing capacity of Member States to prepare and respond to disasters.
Our Areas of Work
Policy, strategy and coordination
The DRM programme aims at developing regional and national disasters preparedness and response capacity. It supports the elaboration of policies, legislation and agreements for disasters management. It strengthens regional collaboration, educates for disaster management and mobilizes resources. Among others, it has developed the regional framework for integrating DRM and Climate Change Adaptation in the IGAD region and a regional framework for Flood Risk Management with a special focus on flood early warning systems.
Implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
The programme is an active member of global and continental Disaster Risk Management platforms and works very closely with UNDRR, the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other DRM platforms to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
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.
Climate Smart Agriculture in Dadaab, Kenya
The DRM program has partnered with the Kenya Red Cross Society in a pilot project to promote climate smart agriculture in semi-arid parts of Kenya (Kulan and Dadaab). The project works to improve soil nutrient management, increase resilience of the ecosystem and improve water management systems. The project aims at being scaled up to similar ecosystems in the region.
Capacity Development
The Programme conducts technical trainings at regional and national levels. Some training topics include strengthening the role of media in DRM, monitoring implementation of the Sendai framework, Hazard Assessments, monitoring and Early Warning systems, community-based Disaster Risk Management and Adaptation, post Disaster Needs Assessment and Disaster Recovery Frameworks using Earth Observation and GIS.
Key Outputs
- IGAD DRM Strategy aligned to Sendai Framework
- Developed three regional frameworks for DRM:
Mainstreaming DRM and Climate Change Adaptation into school curricula, a regional flood risk management strategy and a framework for integrating DRM and Climate Change Adaptation in the region. - 600 technical staff from Member States trained
- Contribute to global, continental and regional DRM platforms representing the IGAD and its Member States
Latest News
Project Materials
Brochure
Early Warnings for Early Action
IGAD DRM Programme supports member countries to take Early Action to mitigate the impacts of Disasters. Before and After image of the Shebelle river flooding in 2018. Hundreds of thousands of people in eastern Africa were affected by heavy rains and devastating floods in April and May 2018, especially near the Shebelle and Jubba rivers. Originating in Ethiopia, they are Somalia’s only perennial rivers and serve as fertile plains for crop production.
Mapping Disasters Impacts in the region
IGAD DRM Programme supports member states to conduct post disasters Assessments. Before and After image in early 2017, where Landsat 8 satellite captured volcanic activity at northern Ethiopia’s Erta Ale, a shield volcano near the Eritrea border.
Conducting post-disaster Assessments in areas affected by Disasters
ICPAC supports member states to conduct post disasters Assessments. Before and after images of Floods which displaced up to 32.000 people in Afar in Ethiopia due to the overflow of Awash River.
Latest Updates
Summary for Decision Makers, March to May 2023 Season
Download our latest Summary for Decision Makers with impacts and advisories for the following secto…
Technical Statement from the 63rd Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF63)
March to May (MAM) constitutes an important rainfall season, particularly in the equatorial parts o…
Global imperative for early warning, early action system
Extreme events borne of the climate crisis have risen at an alarmingly pace in recent times. Drough…
Summary for Decision Makers, October to December 2022
Download our latest Summary for Decision Makers with impacts and advisories for the following secto…
