The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has unveiled plans to develop a regional resilience strategy with efficient coordination and effective early warning systems to tackle crises within the region.
The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Mustapha Ahmed, made this known at a consultation workshop for stakeholders from the region on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria brought together participants from ECOWAS Member States.
Ahmed said ECOWAS member states had experienced a series of disasters, crises, and conflicts that had posed threats to normal life, the means of livelihood for the people, and sustainable economic growth and development.
“There is no doubt that there is a compelling need to develop a regional resilience strategy with efficient coordination and effective early warning systems for West Africa.
“This will guide anticipatory actions to support the deployment of qualitative and quantitative data for risk-informed decision-making to guide development programme implementation.
“It is imperative for the region to leverage its rich natural and human capital for smart investments to meet its future aspirations.
“Nigeria, on its part, has strived hard to weather the storm in the face of extreme weather events coupled with conflicts over dwindling land and water resources powered by climate change phenomena and demographic dynamics,” he said.
According to him, the predominant disaster risk profile of West Africa has significantly posed a threat to region’s efforts in meet crucial global and continental initiatives, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
Ahmed said that to further preferred solution, ECOWAS came with initiatives such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015–2030, the African Agenda 2060, including the African Union Programme of Action (AUC-PoA), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) treaty.
According to him, subsistence farming, shifting cultivation, and pastoralism based on cross-border seasonal movement of livestock from the past have become unsustainable in the face of exponential population growth and dwindling land resources.
The situation, the NEMA boss said, had fueled conflict between occupation groups that had hitherto complemented one another.
“It has driven banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and a decline in rural productivity.
“In 2022, Nigeria experienced its worst recorded flood disaster. The extent of devastation and destruction of property, as well as the loss of lives and means of livelihood, were unprecedented.
”A total of 665 deaths were reported; while 3,181 people were injured, 4,476,867 people were affected, out of which 2,437,411 persons were displaced from their homes.”
On the importance of the forum, Ahmed said, “Nigeria stands to benefit from the initiative of developing the West African Resilience Strategy, which would guide in addressing the destructive impacts of the multi-dimensional risks in the country.”
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said that West African countries were faced with losses from disasters expected to increase over the next decade.
Touray was represented by Prof. Fatou Sarr, Commissioner, Human Development and Social Affairs, ECOWAS.
He said that the forum would enhance the promotion of transparent communication and collaboration and would certainly foster resilience and sustainable development across the region.
“The impact of climate change, which is expected to result in more extreme weather situations such as heavy rains leading to devastating floods and droughts, remains the most severe disaster in West Africa.
“I am delighted that, after a retrospective analysis, the ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will resolve to develop a resilience strategy for the region,” he said.
On her part, Ms Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative of UNDP Nigeria, expressed gratitude to the ECOWAS Commission and supporting countries, Sweden and Denmark, for their engagement and co-financing of the resilience strategy.
She said that with a projected population of over 900 million by 2050, including a majority under 25 years old, addressing the needs of the youthful population requires innovative approaches in the region.
She expressed confidence in the resilience and determination of the people of West Africa to overcome these challenges through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions.
NAN also reports that the workshop provides a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation to refine the analysis, identify synergies, and prioritise components of the strategy that will have the greatest impact on resilience-building efforts.
The goal is to chart a path towards a more resilient West Africa, where individuals, communities, and states can better prepare, manage, and recover from crises.
The workshop is also expected to be a successful and fruitful endeavour that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions across the region. (NAN)
