A silent crisis is unfolding across East Africa. Despite a global surge in pledges for climate action, a shockingly small percentage of those funds actually reach the communities battling the most devastating effects of droughts, floods, and displacement.
Dr. Ahmed Amdihun, leading the Disaster Risk Management Unit at IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Applications Centre, revealed a stark reality: a mere 10-15% of climate funding ever reaches those on the front lines. Billions are promised, yet the lifeline barely trickles down to where it’s desperately needed.
This isn’t simply a funding issue; it’s a failure of translation. Early warning systems, sophisticated as they may be, are rendered useless without swift, decisive action. Knowing a disaster is coming is only half the battle – protecting lives and livelihoods demands a proactive response.
IGAD is now spearheading a critical initiative: an anticipatory action roadmap. This plan aims to bridge the gap between warning and action, ensuring that forecasts of floods, droughts, and other climate hazards automatically trigger concrete protective measures for vulnerable populations.
The roadmap isn’t just about reacting faster; it’s about building resilience. A key component focuses on strengthening the skills and coordination of disaster risk management teams within member states, empowering them to respond effectively and efficiently.
A recent regional workshop in Machakos County brought together representatives from across the IGAD region, including national governments, the IGAD Secretariat, and UN agencies, to refine this roadmap and address the complex link between climate change and human mobility.
Increasingly, climate change is forcing people from their homes. The workshop emphasized the need for member states to prepare for displacement caused by environmental shocks, ensuring safe and dignified pathways for those compelled to move.
Regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing are central to this effort. By exchanging best practices in preparedness, risk assessment, and early warning systems, countries can collectively bolster their defenses against a changing climate.
Dr. Victoria Anib, Head of Social Development at the IGAD Secretariat, underscored the importance of integrating climate-induced mobility into national plans. Recognizing climate change as a driver of migration is the first step towards providing necessary support and ensuring safe passage for those affected.
The goal is clear: to move beyond simply issuing warnings and towards a future where early predictions translate into immediate, life-saving action, protecting communities and building a more resilient East Africa.
