Disaster preparedness and response in the African region: current situation and way forward

摘要

Strengthened institutional capacity for disaster preparedness and response (DPR) is of the utmost importance in the African Region – a region suffering from frequent conflicts and natural emergencies. A five-year strategy to improve emergency preparedness and response was initiated in 1997 and bolstered in 2005 by the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015. Particular emphasis was given to building health systems and increasing community resilience. To this end the African Public Health Emergency Fund was established in 2009. In 2010, a survey of 46 countries in the African Region was undertaken to review the five-year strategy across health systems – 43 countries responded. Some modest improvements were noted; however, many challenges remain. This paper describes the new 10-year disaster risk management (DRM) strategy.