Support

Since 2020, Forus had developed thematic activities on “Disaster Risk Reduction” (DRR). Most national platforms don’t have an explicit focus on disaster risk reduction, response and recovery. Our first aim was therefore to research this role and understand how CSO platforms could play a role in coordinating DRR and post-emergency response. With the support of a steering group gathering Forus members, the French donor “Fondation de France” and other international networks or NGO with a focus on DRR (Global Network of CSOs for Disaster Reduction, Save the Children), a group of experts surveyed and interviewed Forus and GNDR members and gathered rich learning from their work.

They also produced a series of case studies illustrating diverse contexts in relation to disasters and highlighting challenges of securing civil society role and participation, the value of partnerships, coordination and collaboration, and the importance of basing action and advocacy on local knowledge, needs and priorities. The findings, case studies and recommendations can be found on a microsite in English, French and Spanish.

Following the dissemination of the DRR toolkit (microsite) in 2021 and campaign, Forus had the opportunity to support the adaptation and strengthening of national platforms on their strategic work around Disaster Risk Reduction. Forus commissioned the Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT) of the University of Wolverhampton to support national platforms interested in strengthening their strategic planning and strategy implementation around DRR, with a geographical focus on members from Africa, as previous studies indicated specific challenges around strategic adaptation to crises on the African continent. The three platforms supported in this process – from Mali, Togo and Mauritius - were able to carry out a mapping of existing knowledge and practice, and consulted their own members to develop an action plan for integrating Disaster Risk Reduction into their strategy.

Furthermore, Forus has been actively involved in peer-to-peer learning & sharing on the work of national platforms around risk reduction and crisis mitigation. Since 2022 Forus has been facilitating member-led peer sharing processes within the network around DRR.