ACOP Newsletter_2nd edition

ACOP DRR/CCA

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GREETINGS FROM THE STEERING COMMITTEE

Dear Colleagues, It is our great pleasure to write to you again in our 2nd ediiton of the Africa DRR/CCA Community of Practice Newletter We ushered the new year with hope, embracing the drive to build forward better for all We have showed great resilience in such a busy first quarter of the year engaging in Disaster Risk Reduction (preparedness, anticipatory action), recovery and resilience building As a community of Practice, our efforts focused on supporting the empowerment of African National Socisities in the knowledge and skills in Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Action through webinars, Community of Practice meetings and in person Trainings You will see more highlights of this events in the sebsequent pages

As Easter and Ramadan grace us with their presence, we find ourselves immersed in a time of reflection, and renewal In the spirit of Easter, may we find inspiration in the story of triumph over adversity, and may our hearts be filled with hope as we embrace the power of renewal Just as the Easter season symbolizes rebirth, let us renew our commitment to building resilient communities that can weather any storm and emerge stronger than before

Similarly, as Ramadan blesses us with its divine teachings of compassion, sacrifice, and spiritual growth, let us extend our hands in solidarity and support to one another

Through fasting and reflection, may we gain a deeper understanding of the importance of resilience in our lives and communities

In Africa, where the beauty of diversity and the strength of unity intertwine, let us celebrate our shared journey towards sustainability and resilience Together, we stand as stewards of change, guardians of hope, and architects of a brighter future

As we exchange greetings and prayers during this sacred season, let us remember the importance of our humanity in the face of adversity Let it be our guiding light, our source of strength, and our beacon of hope

Wishing you all a joyous Easter and a blessed Ramadan filled with love, peace, and unwavering resilience

With warmest regards from the Steering committee

JONATHAN HOPE, GHANA RED CROSS Planting a tree during the International day of Forest at Simba Lodge Hotel, Naivasha, Kenya

SPOTLIGHT ON QUARTER ONE

The Journey so far...

TOP EVENT OF THE EDITION

CLIMATE ACTION JOURNEY (CAJ) & CLIMATE SMART PROGRAMMING (CSP) TRAINING

CAJ & CSP TRAINING, NAIVASHA, KENYA

The IFRC Africa together with the Climate Centre and Livelihoods Resource Centre held a face to face training in Naivasha, Kenya between 18th and 22nd March with the aim of increasing the knowledge of participants on Climate Action Journey & Climate Smart Porgramming as part of efforts by the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to scale up climate action

The training further aimed to provide space to African National Societies for peer to peer exchanges and learnings. The Training attracted 60 participants from 27 National Soceities, IFRC Country Delegations, IFRC Reference Centres and external partners from Kenya Meteorological Department, National and County Climate Change Directorate and and a Local Non-Governmental Organization - ILEPA. National Soceities were able to develop their Climate Action Journey Plans by the end of the 5 Day meeting

PARTICIPANTS OF THE CLIMATE ACTION JOURNEY & CLIMATE SMART PROGRAMMING TRAINING

CoP Meetings and Webinar

In Quarter One, we have succesfully held 2 Community of Practice meetings focusing on School Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Health with an average participation of 120 persons from National Soceities, IFRC Country Delegations, IFRC Reference Centres and Partner National Socitiess. We also held 2 webinar sessions focusing on legal preparedness for DRR and Nature based Solutions for DRR in commemoration of World Wetlands Day. The CAJ & CSP Training participants commemorated the World Forest Days by planting trees together with the Simba Lodge Hotels in Naivasha, Kenya.

The first quarter of 2024 has seen the Community of Practice quite vibrant with a mixture of webinars, community of practice meetings and Trainings. The Steering Committee also had a chance to exchange (online) with their counterparts from the MENA region during their face to face meeting on the sideline of the Climate Action Journey & Climate Smart Programming Training in Naivasha, Kenya

NATIONAL SOCIETY (NS) IN FOCUS

THE CLIMATE ACTION JOURNEY IN NIGERIA AND MALAWI

PARTNERING FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE: A TALE OF TWO RED CROSS SOCIETIES

The ‘’Scaling Up Locally Led Adaptation and Transforming Humanitarian Responses to Climate Change’’, funded by USAID and to be implemented by National Societies in 12 countries across Africa, Americas and Asia-Pacific, with support of IFRC and the Climate Centre, started in 2022. The overall aim of this project is to support communities to reduce climate-related risks and adapt to climate change, including in some of the least supported and most vulnerable and marginalised communities.

In the pursuit of building climate resilience and transforming humanitarian responses, the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) and the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) have embarked on remarkable climate action journeys, demonstrating unwavering commitment and innovative approaches. Let's delve into their inspiring endeavours.

Amidst diverse challenges exacerbated by climate change, the NRCS & MRCS have been at the forefront of empowering communities and fostering resilience. Their journey has unfolded with strategic milestones

Journey So Far: From inception meetings to stakeholder engagements, the NRCS & MRCS has diligently laid the groundwork Key activities include

The signing of all relevant agreements

Setting up of climate action teams

National Climate Risk Assessment and Validation

Climate screening of NSs programmes, projects, policies, etc, National Launch of the project with governments of both countries

Capacity-building workshops on Locally Led Adaptation and Climate Change, Development of a Multi-year Climate Strategy.

Conduct of Enhanced Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments (EVCA) with Climate lens in selected communities

OPINION CORNER

Insights Thoughts

Perspectives

NAVIGATING THE INTERSECTIONS: DISASTER RISK REDUCTION, CLIMATE DYNAMICS, AND OUR JOURNEY TOWARDS CLIMATE ACTION - PHOEBE WAFUBWA SHIKUKU

Spending the weekend in my beautiful hometown of Eldoret and relishing with nostalgia some of my childhood memories, the words of Leonardo Di Caprio (Actor & Environmentalist) took a permanent seat in my thoughts and in those thoughts, I realized that humanity might just be at a crossroad Leonardo said; “Climate change is real It is happening right now, it is the most urgent threat facing our entire species and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating”

As we confront the complex challenges posed by climate change, it is becoming increasingly clear that Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is not only about being prepared but also an essential part of our resilience in the face of an ever-changing climate landscape The dynamics of climate change have increased the frequency and severity of natural hazards, highlighting the need for collective efforts towards proactive and sustainable solutions

The core of this discourse is the recognition of the complex interplay between disaster risk, climate variability, and human activities. The increase in global temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events are not separate occurrences but interconnected manifestations of a changing climate. The effects of climate change are felt in diverse geographies, from wildfires ravaging vast expanses of land to coastal communities struggling with rising sea levels. These impacts have far-reaching consequences, affecting the lives and livelihoods of people all over the world.

In this context, the role of Disaster Risk Reduction takes on paramount importance It is not merely about reacting to emergencies but adopting a holistic approach that encompasses prevention, preparedness, and mitigation By integrating climate science, risk assessment, and community engagement, we can build resilience at both local and global levels This entails investing in early warning systems, enhancing infrastructure resilience, promoting ecosystem-based approaches, and fostering community empowerment

Our efforts towards taking climate action are met with a number of challenges and difficulties These obstacles include limitations on resources, institutional resistance to change, and socio-political factors Additionally, the unequal impacts of climate change worsen existing vulnerabilities, creating a larger divide between the most affected communities and the resources needed to reduce risks

As we chart our course forward, it is imperative to adopt a forward-thinking mindset that encourages innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity The future progress in this area depends on our ability to work across sectors and stakeholders, breaking through disciplinary boundaries This involves utilizing technology to provide early warning and decision-making support, incorporating indigenous knowledge for sustainable adaptation, and mobilizing resources for equitable resilience-building initiatives

Developing a culture of resilience is a multifaceted task that requires us to address both immediate challenges and long-term goals. We must envision a future that is not only sustainable but also equitable and just. This requires us to make transformative changes in our policies, practices, and perspectives We must rethink our relationship with nature and prioritize low-carbon development pathways to preserve our planet for future generations

Additionally, we must foster social cohesion and solidarity to ensure everyone has equal access to resources and opportunities By doing so, we can create a world that is not only resilient in the face of challenges, but also fair, sustainable, and thriving

The path to climate action is complex, ever-changing, and crucial It is a journey that requires our steadfast dedication, united efforts, and unyielding determination By adopting the values of Disaster Risk Reduction, comprehending the intricacies of climate change, and envisioning a future that is robust and eco-friendly, we can overcome the obstacles ahead and embark on a voyage towards a more resilient and just world

Let us embark on this journey with determination, compassion, and vision, for the future of our planet and generations to come depend on the choices we make today Together, we can make a difference and inspire positive change

PHOTOS FROM ACROSS AFRICA

OPPORTUNITY CORNER

Join and listen to the German DRR Conference: https://fachtagung katastrophenvorsorge.de/? lang=en

Community Based Adaptation Conference 18: https://www.iied.org/community-based-adaptationcba-conference-archive

Enhance your skillls with a short paced course on Global Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Pathway: https://kayaconnect.org/course/info.php? id=774

Self-paced course on Sustainable Consumption and Production in Africa:

https://unccelearn.org/course/view.php? id=88&page=overview&lang=en

JOIN US TODAY

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES (IFRC)

AFRICA REGION