Ethiopia: Building Capacity for Woreda Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation

Context and objectives 

Ethiopia has experienced steady economic growth in the recent past, but is also one of the most disaster-prone countries in Africa. Therefore, development programs focusing on reducing disaster risks are key to protect economic gains while also promoting sustainable development.

The primary objective of the activity was to support the efforts of Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS), a department of the Ethiopian government, in achieving disaster risk profiling of the 27 Woredas (districts) as part of the National Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), and to effectively mainstream Disaster Risk Management (DRM) measures in the country.

Main activities and results

• Improved Disaster Risk Profiles, Preparedness Plans and Contingencay Plans were developed for all of the 27 selected Woredas.
• The 27 Woreda Disaster Risk Profiles were added to the government's risk profile database.
• Lessons learned on the compilation, dissemination, and use of disaster risk reduction information were developed and disseminated. 3780 different kinds of Woreda Disaster Risk Profile documents were published and handed over to the National Disaster Risk Management Commission, to be distributed to the public at large in the 27 selected Woredas.
• Government officials and stakeholders were trained in risk and vulnerability assessments in selected Woredas:
  • 325 government staff were trained in data collection;
  • 575 government staff were trained in data analysis, interpretation, and validation, as well as in the development of DRR/adaptation/mitigation and contingency plans.

Partnerships and coordination
The project was implemented in collaboration with the Ethiopian National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC), the African Center for Disaster Risk Management (ACDRM) and the World Bank.

The project was conducted in partnership between the Ethiopian Government, DRMFSS, CORDAID and the African Centre for Disaster Risk Management.