Drought risk management under a super el niño: building resilience in Southern Africa

Southern Africa faces significant drought-related risks that threaten food security, agricultural production, water availability, livestock, livelihoods and economic stability. In the context of a potential strong El Niño event, strengthening preparedness, anticipatory action and coordinated drought risk management is critical to reducing impacts and building long-term resilience.

Riscorp Security (Pvt) Ltd is convening the Drought Risk Management under a Super El Niño: Building Resilience in Southern Africa conference to bring together stakeholders from government, disaster risk management, agriculture, climate and environmental services, the private sector, development organisations and academia.

The conference will provide a platform for knowledge exchange, multi-stakeholder dialogue and practical discussions on strengthening drought preparedness and resilience across the region. Participants will explore approaches to improving early-warning systems, translating climate information into timely action, strengthening climate-smart agricultural production, protecting food and water security, supporting livestock and livelihoods, and mobilising sustainable financing for drought risk management.

Key areas of discussion will include:

• Drought preparedness and anticipatory action: Strengthening planning and early interventions before drought impacts escalate.
• Early-warning systems and coordination: Improving climate information, risk communication, institutional coordination and last-mile communication to support timely decisions.
• Climate-smart agriculture and food security: Exploring resilient agricultural practices, strategic grain reserves and measures to safeguard food availability.
• Livestock and livelihood resilience: Identifying practical approaches to reducing drought-related losses and protecting vulnerable livelihoods.
• Risk financing and private-sector engagement: Examining financing mechanisms, insurance perspectives and opportunities for public-private collaboration.
• Regional resilience and institutional capacity: Strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to support more coordinated and effective drought risk management.

Through expert presentations, interactive discussions and knowledge-sharing opportunities, the conference aims to support practical, coordinated approaches to drought risk management and contribute to a more resilient Southern Africa.

The event welcomes professionals and organisations working in disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, agriculture, food security, water management, insurance, finance, emergency preparedness, development and related fields.