The Nigerian Government in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP has resolve to develop a regional resilience strategy for efficient coordination and effective early warning systems.
Hosting the 3-days event in Abuja, the Nigerian Government says there is a compelling need to critically address the impact of disasters in the region.
Speaking on behalf of the Government, the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed said that “it is imperative for the region to leverage on its rich natural and human capital for smart investments to meet up with its future aspiration.’
Mr. Ahmed noted that the strategy was in line with the ongoing effort by NEMA to develop a National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2030-2030) and Action Plan (2024-2027) for Nigeria.
He further said that it would guide anticipatory actions to support the deployment of qualitative and Quantitative data for risk-informed decisions to guide development programme implementation.
“Geography, demographic and political dynamics of West Africa have predisposed the sub region to complex nature and human induced disaster and emergency situations, ECOWAS countries have experienced series of disasters, crises and conflict that have posed threats to normal life, the means of livelihood of the people and sustainable economic growth and development,” Mr Ahmed said
He stressed that a “greater part of the West Africa sub-region is characterised with a fragile ecosystem exacerbated by climate change, Climate variability and insecurity.
These factors, according to him, have undermined the coping and adaptation capacity of the population which is heavily dominated by vulnerable women and children and a considerable number of people living with disabilities.
Mr Ahmed said;”Substantial parts of the emergency situations are trans-boundary in nature.
“The predominant disaster risk profile of West Africa has significantly posed a threat to region’s efforts in meeting crucial global and continental initiatives including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030; the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015-2030; and the African Agenda 2060. Other initiatives impacted include the African Union Program of Action (AUC-PoA) and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) treaty.”
While noting that there are derivable benefits for Nigeria from the regional resilience strategy, the NEMA DG said ‘the Nigerian Government has already taken some wide ranging actions to enhance the country’s national resilience and national food security being placed in the front burner across responsible MDAs including recovery support through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).”
Speaking on behalf of the UNDP, Nigeria, Country Resident Representative, Ms Elsie Attafuah commended the ECOWAS for the initiative, aimed at addressing the multifaceted challenges facing the region.
Ms Attafuah noted that the forum which is to enhance promoting transparent communication and collaboration, will certainly foster resilience and sustainable development across the region.
She said; “Building resilience of communities and economies to shocks and stresses is crucial for West Africa’s development. It’s essential to ground our discussions in a shared understanding of resilience and its significance for the region.”
Ms Attafuah noted with concern that despite abundant natural resources, their sustainable exploitation and equitable distribution of the benefits to communities remain a challenge.
She said; “While West Africa contributes to only 1.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the region faces rising temperatures and extreme weather events, the impacts of which are exacerbated by inadequate development and governance, peace, and security related challenges.
“Resilience encompasses the ability to prevent, resist, absorb, adapt, respond, and recover positively from various risks while ensuring sustainable development, peace, security, human rights, and well-being for all. This definition underscores resilience’s role in fostering long-term prosperity and stability.”
Ms Attafuah emphasised the need to recognize the interconnected nature of risks and their impacts, operating not only at the individual level, but also at the collective level of communities, institutions, and systems.
She added that ECOWAS approach to resilience involves implementing multidimensional response frameworks encompassing preventive, integrative, promotive, and transformative functions. It’s imperative to acknowledge the diverse capacities required for resilience, ensuring that no one is left behind on the path towards sustainable development.
Ms Attafuah was represented by the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Mr Blessed Chirimuta.
The six thematic areas outlined in the Regional Resilience Strategy for West Africa reflect ECOWAS’ commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges facing the region: good governance, peace, and security; macroeconomic resilience; sustainable livelihoods; social protection and resilience; gender sensitivity and social inclusion; and climate change and disaster risk reduction- aligning with global and regional frameworks, including sustainable development goals, disaster risk reduction plans, and climate agreements.
The ECOWAS Commissioner of Human Development and Social Affairs Professor Fato Sow Sarr sàid that the strategy which consists of a short, medium- and long-term strategic and programmatic framework with prioritized needs and mechanisms for coordinated action, has been outlined into six thematic areas including;
(i) Good Governance; Peace and Security; (ii). Macroeconomic resilience;
(iii) Equitable access to basic services;
(iv) Sustainable livelihood;
(v) Gender Sensitivity and Social Inclusion; (vi) Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction.
“From the foregoing, it is our strong belief that the regional resilience strategy will complement already existing policies, strategies, and action plans of ECOWAS,” she added
Participants at the consultative workshop are drawn from all member countries of ECOWAS.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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