The 15th consultative meeting of the Regional Committee for Disaster Management in West Africa (GECEAO) opened on Monday under the chairmanship of the Minister of Interior and Decentralization, Mr. Hamadou Adamou Souley. The Nigerian Minister in charge of Disaster Management also took part in the meeting.
The objective of the Regional Committee for Disaster Management in West Africa (GECEAO) is to ensure synergy in emergency preparedness and response.
The GECEAO also serves as a platform that periodically brings together Directors General and Directors of Civil Protection as well as heads of disaster management agencies from ECOWAS member countries and Mauritania.
During the 4-day event, participants will exchange on several themes such as an overview of disaster risk trends in the West African region, regional response to floods, and sharing of experiences and lessons learned to improve flood management at the national level. The focus will also be on disaster management in conflict situations.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Hamadou Souley said that the shock compromises people’s livelihoods by forcing them to abandon their land with significant damage to people, livestock, means of production, and material assets.
Minister Hamadou Souley also pointed out that “West African states, due to the effects of climate change, are facing recurrent droughts, floods, erosion, and sea level rise.”