Highlight

• Gambia is committed to developing national plans for the paradigm shift from disaster response to addressing the underlying risk factors
• UPi was assigned the task of preparing the DRRM Plan 2019 – 2030

The Challenge

The Gambia is a small West African country with an estimated population of 2.2 million people and a land size of 11,000 sq kilometers. The country continues to experience natural and man-made disasters for many years due to perennial hazards including flash floods, windstorms, fires, and drought. In this regard, the Government established an appropriate institutional, legal and administrative framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) assigned UPi for the preparation of the DRRM Plan 2019 – 2030.

The Approach

In consultation with DRRM stakeholders, UPi Assessed past incidence of disaster in The Gambia with a historical sequence of events, including casualties and damage to property and proposed changes in disaster management approaches—from disaster response to addressing risk factors, including poverty and inequality, climate change and variability, unplanned and rapid urbanization, and poor land management.

The Results

Mapped flood, drought, environmental hazards, bush fires, wind storm, pest invasion, population movement, agricultural, forest, fisheries, sea level rise, ecosystems, water resources, climate change-related health vulnerability, energy, infrastructure, poverty vulnerability.

Identified efforts and milestones in disaster management in The Gambia, including achievements and gaps of the NDMA.

Mainstreamed Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in line with the Building Back Better approach for post-disaster reconstruction.