Two regional consultations co-hosted by the IFRC and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have confirmed the importance of domestic legislation as a tool for reducing the risks of disasters in Africa. The two meetings, held in Dakar, from 28-29 October, and Nairobi from 6-7 November, brought together 65 international, national and local experts in disaster risk management, legislators and local mayors, national and local government officials, representatives of regional economic communities, National Red Cross and Crescent Societies, civil society organizations, and the United Nations to address the uses and the challenges of using law as a tool to make people safer in West and East Africa.
Kossivi Nevaeme Adessou, Western African Regional Development Coordinator of Global Network of Civil Society Organisations and participant in the Dakar consultation, noted that “[t]his workshop addresses a very important issue, but one too often ignored.”
The meetings were an opportunity to share and discuss the findings of the recently released IFRC-UNDP comparative study on disaster risk reduction and legislation, and to seek expert views on how best to apply the study’s findings in support of reviews of DRR legal frameworks and their implementation at national and local levels. The participants welcomed the joint IFRC-UNDP initiative. They encouraged continued research on legislation and disaster risk reduction, and suggested to undertake more studies on countries of Western and Central Africa.
The participants also provided insightful comments and suggestions on a draft ”Checklist on law and disaster risk reduction” under preparation by the IFRC and UNDP. The Honourable Patricia Hajabakiga, member of the East African Legislative Assembly, commented that “the Checklist will serve as an important tool in evaluating the draft EAC Bill on DRR.” That bill is currently pending final input from the Council on Legal and Judicial Affairs before submission to the Assembly for approval.
Suggestions that were put forward included the need to address the challenges with implementing legislation, the importance of institutions both at regional and national levels, and the importance of education and dissemination of the existing rules. Participants highlighted the need to involve all actors including both national and local governments, communities and civil society, and the private sector.
These events are the first steps towards the creation of an African network of persons interested in law and DRR and their conclusions will also contribute to the discussions on the new global framework for disaster risk reduction.
For documents related to the Consultation meeting in Dakar, click here.
For documents related to the Consultation meeting Nairobi, click here.