Stakeholders discuss the role of CSOs in the face of complex disasters

By The Inspirer writer.

Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR) in collaboration of BENIMPUHWE organization have convened a meeting to discuss response efforts of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) the face of complex disasters.

The meeting that was held on March2nd, 2023 in Kigali was convened by BENIMPUHWE, the current country focal point for GNDR in Rwanda, and was attended by the Ministry of Environment, key actors in climate change in Rwanda, academia, the media, CSOs working in climate adaptation/ mitigation including members and non-members of GNDR.

The objective of the meeting on localizing climate projections was to explore ways of enhancing the use of climate projections for community development, with a focus on building resilience and sustainability in the face of changing climatic conditions.

It is believed that using local knowledge for collective action between CSOs and Government institutions will lead to a proper national adaptation plan for disaster reduction.

The purpose of this meeting was to make a meaningful contribution towards the overarching goal of fostering greater collaboration and coordination between Government institutions and local & national stakeholders.

Specifically, the meeting aimed to facilitate the enhancement of national systems to support the planning and response efforts of Civil Society Organizations in the face of complex disasters.

The inaugural session was preceded by a gracious welcome from the Chairperson of BENIMPUHWE, Mrs. BARANYIZIGIYE Jeanne d’Arc, who extended a warm greeting to all participants and expressed sincere hopes for a productive meeting.

The Chairperson encouraged active participation and constructive dialogue amongst attendees, emphasizing the importance of generating innovative ideas. Additionally, the Chairperson extended gratitude to the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in attendance and representatives from Government institutions, who have demonstrated unwavering commitment by attending the meeting.

Mrs. Verdiane NYIRAMANA who is the GNDR Focal Point in Rwanda and Executive Director of BENIMPUHWE ORGANIZATION facilitated the first session. She provided a comprehensive overview of the Localizing Climate Projection Guide and Toolkit.

Following this informative presentation, the subsequent session featured a succinct overview of GNDR, facilitated by a GNDR member, MANADISASTER Legal Representative, and a few of organizational initiatives in disaster management and reduction.

During the subsequent session,the official from the Ministry of Environment (MoE) expressed satisfaction in the active engagement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with the governmentduring these types of meetings.

She discussed the gender aspect of water scarcity and how it disproportionatelyaffects women and children. She emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts undertaken at regional level through the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), an intergovernmental partnership of 10 Nile Basin countries,to address gender disparities amidst climate shocks.

She reminded participants that Rwanda has created an enabling environment where CSOs and communities are consistently included in discussions on pressing matters and decision-making processes allowing for their valuable contributions towards the development of effective solutions.

This approach adopted by the Government of Rwanda fosters collaboration, inclusivity, and transparency, thus facilitating more sustainable outcomes.

The MoE Representative reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the attainment of climate projections through established communication channels.

During the plenary session, the Ministry of Environment’s representative extended an invitation to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to actively participate in upcoming global events such as the World Forest Day, World Water Day, and World Meteorological Day, scheduled to take place on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of March, respectively. The official emphasized that such participation would enable CSOs to effectively amplify their voices in the localization of climate projections.

The media representatives present at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to aid in the localization of climate projections by utilizing their media outlets and social media platforms to disseminate climate projection information to a broader audience.