CSOs trained on critical aspects of Risk-informed Development
By Bernard Buachi
Madam Grace Commey (middle) flanked by some members of GNDR
In order to avoid losing the very fragile gains made in terms of development, a development concept known as risk-informed development has been adopted as a way of consolidating the gains already made in the past decade and also engendering new development initiatives.
Risk-informed development is a risk-based decision process that enables development to become more sustainable and resilient. It pushes development decision makers to understand and acknowledge that all development choices involve the creation of uncertain risks, as well as opportunities.
This concept ensures that progress made on poverty reduction, disease control, access to healthcare, education amongst others are not undermined by threats like climate change, economic and financial instability, transnational criminal networks, terrorism, cyber fragility, antibiotic resistance, conflict amongst others.
These threats, which are cross-border issues have been identified to be interconnected in many cases and occur simultaneously.
During the National Coordinating meeting held by the Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR) on Friday 4th February, 2022, members were oriented on risk-informed development and emerging development-related issues.
The meeting, which was national in character, had some members participating physically while others joined online from various parts of the country.
The objective was to orient members build their capacities on risk-informed developments and also make members understand the overarching stages of risk-informed developments and the stages involved.
Madam Grace Commey, the National Focal Point of the Network in her presentation emphasized the need for risk-informed development to be community-led, participatory, collaborative, gender transformative, inclusive and also empowering.
She also stressed that in relation to the process delivered, risk informed development should be localized, contextual, adaptive, anticipatory, diagnostic and evidence based, aspirational, adaptive and result oriented.
She explained risk in the context of risk-informed development as the potential of adverse impacts on the lives and livelihoods of the communities determined by the threats people face, their vulnerability and their capacity and called for critical analysis of the interactions between such risk drivers as Climate change, Food and water insecurity, urbanization, conflict, gender inequality and forced displacement.
Madam Commey also touched on human rights issues and how they lead to greater risks and vulnerabilities that affect development and highlighted the non-negotiable nature of human rights in any developmental effort.
