Kenya: County level DRR/CCA Trainings 2018

Background

The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) is implementing the Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation(DRR/CC) component of the Kenya Devolution Support Project supported by UNDP. The UNDP Kenya Devolution Support Project seeks to support the National and County Governments [1] to:

• Build knowledge and capacities in DRR/CCA for development of plans, policies and legislation and coordination mechanism at national and county levels
• Promote risk informed development planning
• Improve the resilience of at risk and disaster affected communities

WFP’s supported asset creation programme has been implemented in the ASAL counties[2] since 2009. The project focuses on building the capacity of communities to harness the potential of rainwater harvesting for productive purposes. One of the key objectives of the project is to Strengthen government capacity to design and manage disaster-preparedness and risk-reduction programmes.

Following the last general elections, counties have in place new Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). To discuss issues, knowledge and capacities for DRR/CCA at the county level, NDMA has scheduled a series of trainings targeting the County Executive Committee Member’s, Members of the County Assembly and Chief Officers from nine counties with support from UNDP and WFP. The trainings will be conducted in two phases with the first phase focusing on cluster trainings for the County Assembly and the County Executive for the counties of Baringo and Laikipia, Marsabit and Samburu and Wajir and Tana River Counties. The trainings will be undertaken through collaborative support of UNDP and WFP who will provide technical and financial support.

Objectives

The training aims to provide information, tools, and instruments that will increase the overall awareness and understanding of Disaster Risk Management /Climate Change, and the topics of risk reduction, risk transfer, and financing. It also creates an opportunity to advocate for Governments to integrate gender perspectives into disaster risk reduction legislation, policies and programmes, for sustainable development. Natural disasters affect women, men, girls and boys differently.

In many contexts, due to socio-economic conditions as well cultural beliefs and traditional practices, women and girls are more likely to be disproportionately affected by disasters, including through loss of life during and in the aftermath of disasters, loss of livelihoods and productive assets, and increased gender-based violence. Women also bring unique experiences and valuable skills that would benefit disaster risk mitigation and preparedness. By recognizing and promoting the unique capacities of men, women, boys and girls; one can simultaneously further community resilience and advance gender equality.

The training is intended to help the county official to:

• Understand the concept of DRR
• Recognize the complex relationship between disaster and development and the cycle of disaster risk reduction from prevention and mitigation to response and recovery activities
• Understand the need to mainstream gender sensitive DRR into development planning, programmes, and budgeting
• Understand the underlying risks and their drivers and develop effective strategies and mechanisms for disaster risk reduction
• Become familiar with multi-hazard risk assessments, scientific and technical advancements in technology, and the implementation of effective early warning systems with a gender lens
• Understand how knowledge management and information enable and sustain informed decision making for managing disaster risk and why it is essential for coordinated action
• Understand the ongoing Asset Creation Programme and the new new strategic direction of the asset creation as envisaged in the CSP
• Initiate a capacity gaps needs assessment and plan for capacity strengthening
• Anchor the Asset Creation programme in a county Department/ Office and offer firm commitment (at the executive and legislative levels) for budgetary allocation for asset creation activities.

[1] Baringo, Marsabit, Samburu, Laikipia, Tana River, Turkana, Kwale and Kilifi Counties

[2] Baringo, Garissa, Isiolo, Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, Turkana and Wajir Counties.