The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a significant step towards addressing the persistent challenges posed by disasters, crises, and conflicts within the region. Unveiling its plans, ECOWAS aims to develop a comprehensive regional resilience strategy that emphasizes efficient coordination and effective early warning systems. This strategy intends to mitigate the threats to normal life, livelihoods, and sustainable economic growth and development faced by member states.
The revelation came from the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Mustapha Ahmed, during a consultation workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday. This workshop, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, brought together stakeholders from across ECOWAS Member States to deliberate on strategies for enhancing resilience in the region.
Ahmed highlighted the pressing need for a unified approach to tackle the diverse array of challenges confronting West Africa. He stressed the importance of leveraging qualitative and quantitative data for risk-informed decision-making, thereby guiding the implementation of development programs. Furthermore, he underscored Nigeria’s resilience efforts in the face of extreme weather events and conflicts exacerbated by climate change and demographic shifts.
The predominant disaster risk profile of West Africa, as outlined by Ahmed, presents a significant impediment to achieving crucial global and continental initiatives, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. He emphasized the need for initiatives such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015–2030, the African Agenda 2060, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) treaty to address these challenges comprehensively.
Of particular concern are the unsustainable practices such as subsistence farming, shifting cultivation, and pastoralism, which have led to conflict and decreased productivity in rural areas. Ahmed highlighted the devastating floods experienced by Nigeria in 2022 as evidence of the urgent need for coordinated action. The floods resulted in significant loss of life, displacement of millions, and destruction of property, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The consultation workshop serves as a crucial platform for ECOWAS member states to collaborate and devise innovative solutions to enhance resilience across the region. The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, stressed the escalating losses from disasters in West Africa, projected to increase in the coming years. He emphasized the importance of transparent communication and collaboration in fostering resilience and sustainable development.
Touray’s sentiments were echoed by Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative of UNDP Nigeria, who expressed gratitude for the engagement and co-financing of the resilience strategy by ECOWAS and supporting countries. Attafuah emphasized the necessity of addressing the needs of West Africa’s youthful population through innovative approaches.
The workshop aims to refine analysis, identify synergies, and prioritize components of the resilience strategy to maximize its impact. Ultimately, the goal is to chart a path towards a more resilient West Africa, capable of better preparing, managing, and recovering from crises. With millions of lives at stake, the workshop is expected to yield tangible outcomes that will make a meaningful difference across the region.
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