IGAD to Measure Progress in Implementation of Resilience to Drought Regional Initiative

26-04-2016, Nairobi: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) this morning inaugurated the Sixth Steering Committee Meeting of their Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI) in Nairobi. This will be followed by the meeting of the IDDRSI Ministerial General Assembly which will be held on 29th April 2016.

These two IDDRSI Platform meetings will review the progress made in the implementation of the drought resilience initiative throughout the IGAD region; examine the challenges met and the opportunities available; and discuss proposals and recommendations for the way forward.

Representatives from IGAD Member States forming the IDDRSI Steering Committee, Development Partners, UN agencies, Non-State Actors, IGAD Secretariat and its Specialized Institutions and other stakeholders with expertise or interest in cross-border development and the implementation of IDDRSI are attending and participating in this event.

The Sixth Steering Committee Meeting was declared open by the Ambassador of Kenya to Ethiopia, HE Catherine Mungai Mwangi in her capacity as Ambassador to IGAD as well, speaking for the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Devolution and Planning of Kenya, in the presence of the Chair of the IGAD Committee of Ambassadors, HE Ambassador Shamebo Fitamo Adebo, and the Executive Secretary of IGAD, HE Amb. (Eng.) Mahboub Maalim.

The IDDRSI Steering Committee is meant to review the progress made, outcomes and challenges in the implementation of IDDRSI. It is also the occasion for IGAD Member States to exchange and update on the dealing with drought and impacts of the recent El Nino phenomenon in their respective countries and for development partners to interact with the latters.

The IDDRSI Steering Committee Meeting of April 27th and 28th April is for the different stakeholders to advocate for a regional approach in resilience to drought disasters, strengthen existing frameworks for resilience programs plus informal and harmonized cross-border trade, security and cooperation between the IGAD Member States for economic development and improved peace and security in the region.

The IDDRSI General Assembly of the 29th April will be a high level engagement of ministers and other senior policy officials from IGAD Member States, senior representatives of Development Partners and other stakeholders which provides strategic leadership and policy direction to facilitate the expedited implementation of the drought resilience initiative. ###