NAIROBI, Kenya (BG) – Kenya is making strides toward integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) into its national policies, according to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

The UNDRR, in collaboration with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), conducted two key workshops in Nairobi from November 25 to 29, 2024, aimed at supporting Kenya’s draft Disaster Risk Management (DRM) strategy.

The workshops focused on equipping government officials with tools better to integrate disaster risk reduction into national adaptation plans.

Participants were trained to use the Sendai Framework Monitor Self-Assessment Disaster Data Tool, which identifies areas needing improvement in disaster risk reduction efforts.

The training enhanced Kenya’s risk information systems to ensure reliable; up-to-date data supports evidence-based decision-making for early action against natural hazards.

“As high as 70% of our disasters are hydrometeorological nature and this is where our services become critical. To inform disaster responders, intermediaries, and humanitarian agencies… in terms of saving property and saving lives,” Reginald Mahonga, Environmental Specialist at the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development, was quoted as saying in a statement released by the UNDRR on Monday.

Another workshop, held on November 28 and 29, was led by UNDRR in collaboration with Kenya’s National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC).

The session focused on aligning the draft DRM strategy with Kenya’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) using UNDRR’s Comprehensive Risk Management (CRM) approach.

Attendees included representatives from the National Environment Management Authority, the Kenya Meteorological Department, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the Disaster Response Battalion, and UN partners UNEP, UNICEF, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The workshop concluded with a roadmap outlining actionable steps to harmonize DRR and CCA planning.

These actions include creating a landscape analysis of existing policies related to disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation and developing a unified risk assessment tool based on the DRM strategy and Kenya’s National Climate Change Action Plan 2023–2027 III.

Kenya’s efforts to enhance disaster preparedness and integrate climate action highlight the importance of national and international collaboration in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and natural hazards.