African nations are amplifying efforts to strengthen disaster risk reduction (DRR) frameworks in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Namibia’s Prime Minister, Dr. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, recently lauded the Nairobi Declaration’s impact on DRR, highlighting its alignment with both the Sendai Framework and Africa’s broader development goals. Her remarks came during the 9th Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (AfRP-9) in Windhoek, Namibia, where she underscored the role of the Nairobi Declaration in mobilizing African nations to fortify resilience against natural hazards and adapt proactively to climate change impacts.
The Sendai Framework: A Blueprint for Disaster Risk Reduction
Adopted in 2015, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction provides a global strategy to mitigate disaster risks and losses by 2030. It succeeded the Hyogo Framework and focuses on reducing the impact of natural disasters on lives, livelihoods, and critical resources. African countries, positioned on the climate crisis frontline, are increasingly embracing the Sendai principles, prioritizing resilience and adaptability to buffer against economic and social losses caused by climate-induced hazards.
The framework’s core pillars include understanding disaster risk, enhancing governance for disaster risk management, investing in disaster resilience, and enhancing preparedness to enable rapid response and recovery. It’s widely recognized as the guiding framework for nations to build robust disaster response capabilities that also contribute to sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The Nairobi Declaration: A Catalyst for DRR in Africa
The Nairobi Declaration, established in 2021, aimed to unify African countries in disaster preparedness and resilience, with a special focus on multi-hazard early warning systems. The Declaration emphasizes a proactive approach to DRR, calling on nations to strengthen data collection, ensure gender-responsive and inclusive planning, and prioritize risk-informed policies. Dr. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila noted that the Declaration has positioned Africa to align more closely with the Sendai Framework while taking regional development objectives into account.
By advocating for comprehensive data analysis and policy alignment, the Nairobi Declaration also reinforces the role of African countries in creating localized strategies that address the specific vulnerabilities of the continent. Namibia’s Prime Minister highlighted the importance of collecting disaggregated data to inform DRR strategies tailored to gender, age, disability, and location, ensuring that policies and responses are inclusive and data-driven.
Namibia’s Resilience Against Climate Challenges
As climate extremes continue to worsen globally, Namibia has felt the strain of persistent droughts, floods, and other disasters. During her address at AfRP-9, Prime Minister Kuugongelwa-Amadhila highlighted the critical state of food and water security in Namibia, exacerbated by one of the worst droughts in recent years, driven by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. This crisis has threatened nearly 58 million people across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, further compromising food and water supplies.
In May 2024, the Namibian government declared a State of National Disaster due to drought. A crop assessment revealed a staggering 53% reduction in cereal production across vital crops such as maize, sorghum, millet, and wheat, while dam water levels declined by nearly 70% earlier in March. These alarming figures underscore the urgency of establishing robust DRR systems to mitigate climate-induced crises.
The government’s response includes establishing an Emergency Operations Center, which will eventually link with the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre and the Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System. This network aims to enhance collaboration, facilitate real-time information exchange, and improve early warning systems to prepare for and respond to crises proactively.
Building the Framework for Enhanced Disaster Resilience
To strengthen the resilience of its communities, Namibia is implementing several initiatives focused on early warning systems, policy reforms, and infrastructure investments that enhance disaster readiness. The Namibian government is conducting vulnerability assessments and analyses to identify risks and improve preparedness. Such proactive measures ensure that resources are mobilized promptly, mitigating the impact of disasters on vulnerable communities.
Dr. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila emphasized the importance of multi-hazard early warning systems, which allow for quicker response times and better-informed decision-making. These systems are vital, particularly in a region that experiences a range of climate impacts, from droughts and floods to veld fires and tropical storms. With the establishment of an Emergency Operations Center, Namibia aims to create a centralized response framework that can support various disaster scenarios effectively.
Investments in DRR infrastructure, such as flood-resistant housing, improved drainage systems, and resilient agricultural practices, are also underway. These efforts, alongside community capacity-building programs, ensure that local communities are empowered to respond to and recover from disasters, further enhancing national resilience.
Collaborative Efforts within the SADC Region
The SADC region, comprising 16 Southern African countries, faces common climate-induced risks, prompting the need for collaborative DRR efforts. Namibia’s active participation within the SADC framework is helping to drive collective resilience-building measures, from shared early warning systems to coordinated humanitarian response initiatives. The Prime Minister’s emphasis on creating a multi-hazard early warning system aligns with SADC’s vision for a resilient Africa where countries can respond effectively to complex and overlapping disasters.
SADC’s efforts include fostering information-sharing platforms and deploying regionally coordinated humanitarian operations in times of crisis. The organization’s Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre will play a critical role in supporting member countries like Namibia to predict, prepare for, and mitigate disasters across borders.
Towards a Resilient Future
As climate impacts intensify, Namibia’s response to the Nairobi Declaration underscores a broader movement across Africa to adopt evidence-based, inclusive, and proactive DRR strategies. The Sendai Framework and Nairobi Declaration serve as cornerstones in these efforts, providing the guidance and tools necessary for a continent that faces unique and severe climate risks. With a focus on multi-hazard early warning systems, enhanced data collection, and inclusive policy-making, African countries are building a future where resilience is embedded at all levels of society.
Namibia’s progress in implementing DRR measures sets a strong example within the SADC region and across Africa. By aligning its disaster response frameworks with regional and global strategies, Namibia is not only protecting its people and resources but also contributing to a resilient and adaptable Africa capable of confronting the challenges of climate change.
