Official Opening the 5th IDDRSI Platform Steering Committee Meeting

Minister Mohamed Ahmed addressing the audience

28-10-2015, Djibouti: IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience Sustainability Initiative Platform Steering Committee today convened in Djibouti City officiated by H.E Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Awaleh, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Water and Marine Resources.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), IGAD Member States and Development partners are meeting for two days to review the progress made in the implementation of the drought resilience initiative throughout the IGAD region and to examine the challenges met and the opportunities available for future interventions; and discuss proposals and recommendations for the way forward.

The Executive Secretary of IGAD, H.E Amb. Mahboub Maalim in his welcoming remarks noted that there is growth and progress of the IDDRSI programs in the IGAD region.

He also acknowledged the financial and technical support of the development partners through IGAD without excluding any community or program presented to them for support. He emphasized the partnership and coordination between IGAD and partners be maintained and with the continued support for IDDRSI the agenda will be operationalized.

H.E Mohamed Ahmed Awaleh, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Water and Marine Resources firmly expressed his concern on drought being a natural disaster that has become more recurrent and hence requires high level political commitment in the member states and international community to end drought emergencies in the IGAD region by developing coherent strategies and policies.

In the same spirit a representative from FAO, Mr. Patrick Kormawa requested the development partners to monitor the IDDRSI, continue the funding support especially in the areas of drought and other climatic change effects as well as economic empowerment activities for the youth, research, appropriate technology in the region, food and security.

IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI) was set up to focus on “investing differently” to end drought emergencies and help prepare for a future in which climate change will amplify existing stress on water availability in Africa.

The IDDRSI Strategy is a 15-year proposition that compels the IGAD to be forward looking, figuring out how to make the process of the drought resilience initiative irreversible; through increased investments and linking humanitarian assistance with development assistance; through better coordination and deeper cooperation; through more inclusive engagement and involvement of all groups and categories of actors and stakeholders; and through increased commitment to the sustainable use of natural resources.

Development partners include European Union, USAID, FAO, BMZ, GiZ, KfW, UNDP, UN OCHA, World Bank, African Development Bank and many more.