Advancing Disaster Risk Reduction in East Africa: Stakeholder Consultation and Engagement Meetings – Kampala, Uganda (18-22 March 2024)

The stakeholder consultation meetings held in Kampala, Uganda, from 18th to 22nd March 2024, were a significant step in advancing disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts in East Africa. Hosted by the Network of Centres of Excellence (NoE) for Disaster Risk Reduction - Phase II, the meetings brought together key participants from organizations such as RCMRD, CIMA, UNDRR, UNU, and the University of Cape Town. These discussions were part of the Network of Centres of Excellence for Disaster Risk Reduction (NoE) Phase II initiative, aimed at addressing the persistent vulnerabilities in disaster risk reduction (DRR) across Africa. Despite notable progress in enhancing DRR efforts, African countries remain highly susceptible to hazards that threaten the safety and development of their communities.

The consultations aimed to introduce NoE Phase II, conduct stakeholder mapping, and assess the specific needs of Ugandan institutions for training and capacity building. The engagement began with a workshop on the first day, followed by two days of bilateral meetings.

During the workshop, participants expressed interest in focusing training on Indigenous Knowledge, Impact-Based Multi-Hazard Forecasting, and Early and Anticipatory Actions. The workshop also involved discussions on Uganda's risk matrix, highlighting key hazards such as flash floods, landslides, droughts, and wildfires.

The bilateral meetings over the following days included discussions with the Ministry of Health, the Meteo Office, and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM highlighting how natural hazards such as floods and droughts directly impact public health, exacerbating disease outbreaks and food insecurity. The Meteorology Office pointed out the challenges they face, including limited technical capacity and poor coordination among disaster management actors. The meetings focused on improving Uganda's capacity in areas such as impact-based forecasting, data collection for risk assessment, and addressing infrastructure challenges.

The NoE project, supported by the Government of Italy, seeks to enhance collaboration among African research, academic, and science centers to develop tools, services, and training tailored to the needs of African public institutions focused on DRR, early warning, and anticipatory actions.

The outcomes of these consultations laid the groundwork for upcoming activities, including training sessions, and ongoing collaboration to centralize risk data and enhance Uganda's disaster preparedness.