Attachments
Foreword
Eastern Africa continues to grapple with an unprecedented convergence of climate shocks, economic instability and conflict, all of which exacerbate vulnerabilities and displacement. Recent events – including the 2020 to 2023 drought, the El Niño-induced flooding of 2023/2024, and other cascading crises – have left millions in need of humanitarian assistance.
The crises and challenges emanating from these disasters reaffirm the importance of anticipatory action in mitigating the devastating impacts of these hazards. Encouragingly, anticipatory action approaches have gained traction, reaching millions in 2023 and driving the development of frameworks across the region. Yet much remains to be done to scale up these efforts, integrate them into government-led systems, and ensure they are inclusive, sustainable and multi-hazard in scope.
The first Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Humanitarian Action brought together around 210 delegates from governments, humanitarian organizations, development organizations, research and academic institutions, the private sector and community actors. This clearly demonstrates the commitment among stakeholders to champion a collective front on anticipatory action. The event marked a pivotal moment in our region’s collective efforts to build resilience in the face of compounding and complex crises.
The theme for the event, ‘From policy to practice: strengthening disaster risk management through anticipatory action’, is timely, as it underscores the urgency of moving beyond conventional, traditional reactive responses to embracing proactive, evidence-based approaches that save lives and protect livelihoods through anticipatory actions. And the ‘Mombasa Declaration 2024’, which highlights 17 priority actions, provides an invaluable opportunity to align regional priorities with global initiatives, foster partnerships, and develop actionable solutions to advance anticipatory action at scale.
Furthermore, the Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform increased the impetus to work together, minimize bottlenecks, avoid duplication and fragmentations in our efforts, and chart a pathway forward for the implementation of anticipatory action. This is a testament to the reaffirmed commitment to collaborate, innovate and share accountability.
This event focused on action, partnerships and transforming the way we address risk in eastern Africa. The outcomes will, potentially, influence global conversations about anticipatory action and drive tangible change for communities at risk. Collectively, we have the opportunity to pioneer a more anticipatory, inclusive and resilient future; let us seize this moment.
Dr Ahmed Amdihun
Head of disaster risk management, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)