Kenya: 4th National Symposium on Disaster Risk Reduction

Background

In October 2014, the National Symposium for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) was inaugurated as an annual event. It has been a platform where valuable lessons from stakeholders and disaster risk management practitioners in Kenya are shared.  Bringing together stakeholders, DRR practitioners, academia, NGOs, communities, first line responders, civil societies and members of the Kenya National Platform for DRR,the Symposium has proved to be the way forward in accelerating the implementation of the Hyogo Framework of Action 2005:2015 and now the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) in Kenya. The event also provides an opportunity for DRR experts and national institutions to network, share knowledge and good practices as well as set national priorities with government officials and advocate for an enabling environment for the implementation of the existing global frameworks for DRR and climate change adaptation thereby enhancing our overall national capacity to cope with disasters.

Aligning the National DRR capacities

The lessons learned from the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) were vital in global positioning of nations, to deal with dynamism in disaster risk management. The Sendai Framework recognizes that, in order to reduce disaster risk, there is a need to address existing challenges and prepare for future ones, by focusing on: monitoring, assessing and understanding disaster risk and sharing such information and how it is created; strengthening disaster risk governance and coordination across relevant institutions and sectors and the full and meaningful participation of relevant stakeholders at appropriate levels; investing in the economic, social, health, cultural and educational resilience of persons, communities and countries and the environment, as well as through technology and research; enhancing multi-hazard early warning systems, preparedness, response, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. To complement national action and capacity, the framework recognizes that there is a need to enhance international cooperation between developed and developing countries and between States and international organizations.

Expanding the National Scope for DRR

The Sendai Framework expands the scope of dealing with disasters to include small-scale and large-scale, frequent and infrequent, sudden and slow-onset disasters caused by natural or man-made hazards, as well as related environmental, technological and biological hazards and risks. It provides guidance to the multi-hazard management of disaster risk, in development at all levels as well as within and across all sectors. At the national level, there is need to realign national priorities and plans to the Sendai Framework. This will enable the government to address both intensive and extensive risks including emerging risk such as invasive species and urban disasters.

Assessing our DRR status

Apart from sharing lessons and good practices, the national symposium acts as an enabler to the participants to assess the country’s performance in the implementation of Disaster Risk management plans and strategies.  The stakeholders are able to look back at the memory lane and take a snapshot of the country’s achievements, highlighting what has been working and what did not work with an aim of making more informed decisions in the future planning.

About

The National Symposium is conducted back to back with the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) national celebrations. The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, held every 13 October, celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reigning in the risks that they face. The 2016 edition marks the launch of a new, seven-year campaign focused on the seven targets of the Sendai Framework. 

This year’s IDDR celebrations will focus on the first target of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction; Reducing mortality from disasters, with the tag line “Live to tell”.

Aligning to the IDDR theme, and to guide the national discussion with regard to the expanded scope of the Sendai Framework, the proposed theme for the 4th National Symposium for DRR is: “STEP UP TO REDUCE DISASTER MORTALITY IN KENYA.”

Intended Audience

The symposium is aimed at bringing DRR practitioners and stakeholders together, to review initiatives, existing tools, plans, and innovations that the country has set aside to address mortality rate at all levels.

What's Included

Symposium Sub-themes

The Sendai Framework came with four priorities of action. The sub-themes of the symposium will be based on how each of these four priority areas can contribute to reducing mortality in the country. Hence, the sub-themes will be;

Sub-theme 1: Understanding disaster risk;

Sub-theme 2: Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risks;

Sub-theme 3: Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience;

Sub-theme 4: Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.

How to Attend

This event is by invitation only. There is no fee.