UNISDR launches policy brief on building resilience in Africa

Source(s): United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Opening of the Climate Change Conference in Durban
Opening of the Climate Change Conference in Durban

DURBAN, 6 December 2011 - According to a new UNISDR policy brief launched today at the Durban COP 17, although African countries are committed to reducing flood and drought risks, current investments are found to be wanting, particularly in development sectors.

These findings were distributed today as representatives from 194 countries are currently addressing, for the 17th year in a row, how the world can do a better job of controlling the man-made greenhouse gases that scientists believe will lead to sea-level rise, floods, drought and famine.

The findings from UNISDR Briefing Note No. 4 on building resilience in Africa are potentially important as they demonstrate the effectiveness of addressing disaster risk through public expenditures while contributing to discussions on financial models to address climate change.

The paper coincides with the visit by UN Disaster Risk Reduction Chief, Margareta Wahlström to COP 17 who is pushing for more effective development that addresses disaster risk as a first line of defence against the impacts of climate change.

Wahlström has met with African Heads of States including South African President Jacob Zuma and other decision and opinion makers such as Sir Nicholas Stern, Chair of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment. Stern is also the author of the well-known Stern Review – a 2006 report that documented the effect of global warming on the world economy. She also led a high level panel with the African Union.

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