Mohamed Saleh at the closing of the risk workshop in Nairobi, Kenya

By Vanessa Buchot

14 September 2018, Nairobi – The Government of Kenya has initiated a reform programme to improve the country's capacity to reduce disaster risks and mitigate the socioeconomic and fiscal impact of disasters.

The government has taken systematic steps towards a comprehensive approach to holistic risk management and climate change through programmes and strategies that strengthen national response.  In response, the World Bank announced a new project entitled: “The Disaster Risk Management Development Policy Financing” to the tune of USD200 million.

To contribute, the Government, with support from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the CIMA Research Foundation, held a five-day Risk Modelling Workshop to provide relevant decision-makers with tools and methodologies to make informed choices and to support the development of holistic risk reduction strategies.

The event was attended by 30 eminent senior officials from different line Ministries, including the National Disaster Operation Center, the National Disaster Management Authority and the National Disaster Management Unit. The Kenya Meteorological Department, the Kenyatta national hospital and St. Johns ambulances services, UN system entities and donor agencies also attended.

The CIMA Research Foundation and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction jointly facilitated the workshop as part of the “Building Disaster Resilience to Natural Hazards in Sub-Saharan African Regions, Countries and Communities” programme, financed by the European Union in support of the Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States, which enables African countries to operationalize the African Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and its Plan of Action.