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Zambia will be among 50 African countries that are scheduled to meet in Arusha Tanzania for the fourth African Regional Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction to address the challenges of building a disaster resilient society.
The platform which will run from February 13-15, 2013 is a major milestone in providing recommendations on the future of the Hyogo Framework Action which is a 10 year international framework for reducing disaster risks and building community resilience.
This is according to a press statement released to ZANIS by United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNIDSR) Communications Officer Brigitte Leoni.
Ms Leoni stated that the event will allow countries to highlight progress they have made in implementing the Extended Programme of Action for the implementation of the Africa Regional Strategy for disaster risk reduction for the period 2006-2015.
And Head of UNIDSR Regional Office Pedro Basabe noted that with global warming affecting agriculture and livelihoods in a continent where agriculture contributes 50% of total exports and 21% of total GDP, it is evident that long-term action will lead to sustainable development policies which will account for the challenges.
Mr Basabe said climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and poverty reduction policies need to be integrated into policies, budgets and planning of African countries and institutions.
The event is important for Zambia as it will help authorities come up with new approaches in dealing with disasters especially that the country was recently attacked by Army worms that destroyed crops.
The Fourth African Regional Platform will bring together government, UN, and NGO representatives from countries in the region including Zambia.
Meanwhile, Ms Leoni has disclosed that her organisation will also be holding a two day media training on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) which begins tomorrow in Tanzania.
She said 12-15 journalists from across Africa including Zambia and 12 DRR focal points from the Africa region are expected to attend the seminar.
