Considered to be one of the most important compositions of transboundary terrestrial ecosystems in Africa, the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex is home to considerable biological diversity, which contributes to the economic and social development of the West African sub-region. The natural resources it holds are highly important for the local populations who live mainly from agriculture, livestock, fishing, hunting, forest resources (wood and non-wood products) and tourism. Given the issues related to this trans-boundary area, Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger decided to make it a single entity that should be governed based on a regional vision. Thus, they concluded a Three-part Agreement for collaboration and aligned management of the protected areas of the Complex, and made their responsibility to protect their environment very clear with a view to preserving the interests of future generations. Besides the ministerial meetings, the technical and financial partners support contributes to the sustainable management of the natural resources of the WAP Complex.
In this perspective and in collaboration with the three countries, the OSS set up the AdaptWAP project (2020-2024): "INTEGRATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION MEASURES IN THE CONSOLIDATED MANAGEMENT OF THE TRANSBOUNDARY WAP | AdaptWAP COMPLEX. The project promotes the sustainability of the planned adaptation measures for the benefit of local populations, with the establishment of a Multi-Risk Early Warning System (MR-EWS): floods, fires bush and drought.
In addition to the Supervising Administrations of Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, as well as the technical and financial partners, the project associated the highest political authority of the Complex, namely the Council of Ministers of the States Parties, to its enlarged Steering Committee meeting, held on April 12-13, 2022 in Niamey.
Activities of the first day had the project advancement examined, the year-three work plans validated and new activity proposals that take into account the evolution of the complex security situation adopted.
The second day had the WAP Council of Ministers validate the WAP Complex Executive Secretariat and promote the creation of national management units for the Multi-Risk Early Warning System (MR-EWS).
How to strengthen exchanges, the sharing of experiences between stakeholders and to build on good practices in terms of adaptation to climate change? The exchange trip made to Natitingou - Pendjari National Park (Benin) shall provide answers to that question and would provide the opportunity to the Regional Project Management Unit (RPMU) to collect information on the MR-EWS from the stakeholders.
AdaptWAP - an economic and environmental project - aims to strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and improve the living conditions of the WAP Complex populations to face climate change through the establishment of a Multi-Risk Early Warning System (drought, floods and bushfires); it also targets the implementation of concrete adaptation measures to manage such emergencies.
The 4-year project is financed by the Adaptation Fund and implemented by the OSS in its capacity as the AF Regional Implementation Entity (RIE). Its activities are coordinated by an OSS-housed Regional Execution Unit and National Project Execution Units in the three countries.
For the record, the execution of activities by all partners has made it possible to develop:
At the regional level, management and planning products such as the complex's Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP) and the guide for integrating adaptation measures in the Complex planning and management tools:
• The financial mechanism of revolving funds for the diversification of IGAs for the benefit of vulnerable populations;
• Training modules for sustainable management of natural resources, adaptation to CC, and disaster management.
At the national level, the partners i) established the situation on a number of infrastructures such as transhumance corridors, water points and grazing areas around the W regional park; ii) carried out missions to alert on the project, climate change issues and challenges, and iii) undertook training actions on good practices for the sustainable management of the Complex natural resources.