Regional Collaboration to Address Drought and Flood Risks in the Horn of Africa
Experts in disaster management, meteorology, and hydrology convened in Kampala, Uganda, to tackle the shared challenges of drought and flooding in the Horn of Africa. The workshop, hosted by UNDRR in partnership with the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) and supported by the CREWS Greater Horn of Africa project, aimed to enhance collaboration and strengthen early warning systems in the region.
With three-quarters of the Horn’s population reliant on shared river basins and aquifers, the lack of transboundary water management frameworks presents a significant risk. “Information sharing is key for effective management of our regional transboundary resources,” emphasized Jully Ouma of IGAD/ICPAC.
The event brought together six countries—Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda—to explore shared solutions under the theme “Strengthening Early Warning and Early Action Systems for Meteorological, Hydrological, and Climate Extremes.” Discussions focused on tools like ICPAC’s East Africa Drought Watch, flood forecasting, and severe weather prediction.
Participants worked on drafting a framework for transboundary cooperation, aiming to establish real-time data exchange and coordinated risk management strategies. The workshop also highlighted the importance of breaking barriers to foster collaboration. “Transboundary risks require that partners break the walls and barriers by working together across the board,” noted hydrologist Benjamin Ssekamuli.
The initiative marks a critical step toward building cohesive disaster risk management systems and strengthening technical capacities in the region.
