CoP27 - "Water Security for Climate Resilience in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa", November 14th, 2022

The Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) takes part in the African Development Bank side-event on "Water Security for Climate Resilience in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa", organized on the occasion of COP27. November 14^th, 2022

The event was an opportunity for Mr. AbdelKader DODO, OSS Water Department Coordinator, to underline the immediate need of setting up a multi-risk early warning system, to increase the resilience of populations in the arid regions of Africa, and make them adapt to the adverse impacts of recurrent floods and droughts.

In his speech, the emphasis was put on the need to carry out actions that aim to preserve the water resources, such as the recharge of the aquifers, in particular from the diversion canals of the rivers’ flood overflows (River Niger, Senegal, Nile, Volta) and the construction of protection seawalls. The idea of making use of smart agriculture with water-saving techniques to improve food security was also highlighted.

This event made it possible to call for the creation of coordinated and inclusive governance frameworks with a view to preserving watersheds and transboundary aquifer systems of the African continent, and to point out that initiatives and actions to strengthen security in the drylands of Africa would benefit more from funding as grants rather than loans.

The OSS is an AF and GCF accredited implementing entity which acts as a matchmaker between the Climate Funds and its member countries and partners.