Hazard Risk
Recurring flooding and drought in Togo often have negative socio-economic effects on the population, the environment, and the economy. Though Togo experiences some flooding almost every year, there were ten major floods in Togo between 1983 and 2010 and during the last four years, there have been particularly widespread and devastating floods that have destroyed infrastructure and devastated cultivated land. Severe flooding in 2010 affected 83,000 people and resulted in over $38 million in damages and losses, as estimated by a GFDRR-supported post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA).
Soil erosion, coastal erosion, and deforestation are also major concerns that exacerbate the effects of flooding. Furthermore, the country’s vulnerability to weather-related hazards is likely to increase as a result of climate change.
Government Priorities
In recent years, Togo has advanced disaster risk management (DRM) efforts. These include:
- Developing a National Action Program for Adaptation to Climate Change (2009) and a National Investment Program for Environment and Natural Resources (2010). The latter helps bring together previous strategies and create a budget for national priorities.
- Integrating DRM and climate change adaptation (CCA) considerations throughout the Accelerated Growth and Employment Promotion Strategy (2013).
To further advance the DRM agenda, government priorities include:
- Developing analytical tools for risk identification;
- Creating emergency response plans and building capacity; and,
- Integrating DRM considerations into the agricultural production system.
GFDRR support for DRM activities in Togo have focused on building the capacity of institutions to manage the risk of flooding and land degradation. In 2009, GFDRR created a DRM country note, which outlined an action plan for DRM in Togo. This note was developed through a multi-stakeholder consultation process.
GFDRR support began after heavy flooding in 2010 with a PDNA training, followed soon by the implementation of a government-led PDNA. Following the PDNA, the GFDRR DRM country note was used as the basis for the Integrated Land Management (IDLM) Project, a multi-partner program implemented with support from the World Bank. The $32 million IDLM project is funded by several trust funds that include the World Bank, GFDRR, GEF, LDCF and TerrAfrica. Effective since 2012, the IDLM project strengthens the capacity of targeted institutions to manage flooding risks and land degradation in vulnerable rural and urban areas. Areas of focus include early warning, monitoring, and knowledge systems, as well as community-based activities for adaptation and sustainable land management.
GFDRR anticipates new and continued demand to:
- Coordinate stakeholders involved in the IDLM project;
- Develop analytical tools for risk identification;
- Develop flood and early warning systems;
- Build capacity in emergency planning and response;
- Develop disaster risk financing tools; and,
- Develop trans-boundary flood management in the Volta and Mono Basin.