Brussels, 20/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - A study published by the ACP Group on Thursday 12 February highlights - at a key period for the international development agenda - that the risk of natural disasters is much higher in the ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) EU partner countries than in other regions of the world.
The ACP Compendium of Risk Knowledge, financed by the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), shows that 12 countries from Sub-Saharan Africa and one country from the Caribbean are among the 20 countries most at risk from disaster in the world. The ACP countries will lose on average US$6.9 billion per year from disasters, representing 2.3% of their total GDP - a big hindrance to their development.
“While countries in the ACP have had good experience in managing disaster events in the past, it is now time that we start to proactively reduce the underlying drivers of these risks”, said ACP Secretary General Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni. The compendium is a scientific tool for use by political decision-makers and local practitioners - including the private sector - in addressing this challenge through innovative partnerships integrating best practice in the use of scientific instruments (including information technology) in the management and reduction of risks.
The new global framework on reducing risks will be adopted at the third UN conference on the Hyogo Framework for Action, in Sendai (Japan) in March. The global goals for sustainable development are due to be adopted in New York in September, and the conclusion of a global climate agreement is expected in Paris in December.
As part of the 10th EDF - the financial protocol for ACP-EU cooperation for the 2008-2013 period - a sum of €180 million has been allocated for a programme of prevention and reduction of the risk of disasters, as well as for preparing for these phenomena. (Aminata Niang)