Adaptation Fund project on strengthening drought resilience in the IGAD region starts implementation in June 2020.
In October 2019, a new project entitled “Strengthening drought resilience for smallholder farmers and pastoralists in the IGAD region – DRESS-EA” has received funding of 13 Mio USD from the Adaptation Fund. The project will be implemented during four years by the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), the Global Water Partnership Eastern Africa (GWPEA) and the four riparian countries Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. Read more
IDMP-HOA supports national drought plan development in Ethiopia and Sudan
The IDMP Horn of Africa supported Ethiopia and Sudan in the development of their National Drought Plans. This was done through contributions in capacity building, case studies, guidance documents, and tailored analysis. The Global Water Partnership’s multi-stakeholder platforms (Country Water Partnerships) were mobilized to contribute to consultative meetings of the partners. Read more
IDMP-HOA Programme
The Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP) in the Horn of Africa promotes drought resilience of countries, communities and ecosystems in the region. It is part of the global IDMP programme that the Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) launched in Geneva in March 2013 at the High-level Meeting on National Drought Policy (HMNDP). A key element from the meeting is to support stakeholders at all levels by providing policy and management guidance and by sharing scientific information, knowledge and best practices for Integrated Drought Management. Overall, the IDMP HOA will build climate resilience, reduce economic and social losses, and alleviate poverty in drought-affected regions within the HOA through an integrated approach to drought. Specifically, the program will operate in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
Why integrated Drought Management in the Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa has experienced adverse weather effects for a long time. A shortfall in precipitation levels over extended periods of time and a decline of water resources affect society, economies and ecosystem, in some cases causing severe humanitarian consequences. Over 13 million people have been affected by drought with at least 30% malnourished in the drought affected areas of the HOA. Moreover, countries in the HOA lack the technical measures, institutional and policy aspects of integrated water resources management approaches in drought prone areas to address the challenges. Previous efforts of managing drought in the HOA focused on emergency/crisis response such as providing relief to the victims rather than its integrated management focusing on preparedness and drought mitigation and early warning. Holistic and interdisciplinary approaches that go beyond alleviating short-term suffering and stress are necessary to address the challenges associated with drought. Therefore, the programme will facilitate collaborative and integrated approaches to achieve sustainable management of water and drought in the drought prone areas of the HOA.
Programme focus
IDMP HOA will focus on enhancing strong partnership and strengthening capacities with the overall aim of developing resilience to drought and climate change in the HOA following an Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) approach. Its particular contribution will be to strengthen partnership and influence policy and practice towards more integrated management of drought in the HOA in a changing climate. The programme will contribute to the implementation of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Africa Regional Strategy and programme for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) adopted by the African Ministerial Conference on DRR, and Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI). It will also contribute to the implementation of the recommendations of IGAD and East African Community (EAC) Summit. The programme is implemented in support of the Water, Climate and Development (WACDEP) programme of the AMCOW/African Union.
IDMP HOA Objectives
The overall objective of the programme is to promote drought resilience of communities in the HOA. This will be through shift from reactive, crisis management response to a more proactive approach to drought management, applying the principles of integrated water resource and risk management.
IDMP HOA Approach
IDMP HOA approaches to meet the programme goal include:
- Strengthening capacities for drought management at national and local levels, and enhancing knowledge development and sharing of experiences
- Support demonstration of innovative initiatives by stakeholders and document best practices and lessons on drought management at community levels
- Enhance partnership and collaboration for drought management within the HOA
- Influencing policies and programs towards sustainable drought management
Implementation arrangements and beneficiaries
At the regional level, the 3 year programme is coordinated by the Global Water Partnership Eastern Africa (GWPEA), in collaboration with other partners. The main implementing entities will be the Country Water Partnerships (CWPs) of the HOA countries in collaboration with the respective ministries of water/agriculture/disaster management. CWPs provide a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and facilitating change processes and will be instrumental in contributing to their countries preparedness to drought. They include government ministries and agencies comprising those charged with the responsibility of implementing drought policies; NGOs, private companies, the academia working on research and knowledge dissemination etc. The primary beneficiaries of the Programme are the vulnerable communities in the drought prone areas of the HOA.
CONTACT
Mr Gerald KairuRegional Project ManagerIntegrated Drought Management Program (IDMP HOA)Global Water Partnership, Eastern AfricaTel: +256 414 321424/424Fax: +256 414 320 971Email: gkairu@nilebasin.orgwww.gwpena.orgInformation Materials
- IDMP HOA Building resilience to drought: Learning from experience in the Horn of Africa
- IDMP HOA Assessment of Drought Resilience Frameworks in the Horn of Africa: Full Report and Summary
- Capacity Development Programme for Drought Resilience in the IGAD region
- Report of the Regional Meeting to Review Existing Frameworks and Programs Related to Drought Resilience in the Horn of Africa 2014, 25-26 September 2014, Nairobi, Kenya
- Training on Applying Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) tools for Drought Risk Management, 15-19 June 2015, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Concept Note and article
- Training on Applying Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) tools for Drought Risk Management, 11-13 July 2017, Kampala, Uganda
- Media field visit to explore further the aspects of drought risk management in Mubende, Uganda. Listen to the story broadcast by UBC Radio Mubende:
Find out more about the Regional IDMP for the Horn of Africa (IDMP HOA).