Connecting Early Warning to Early Action: Building Resilience in the Sahel

Posted by Nancy Lindborg / February 20, 2012

Following a sandstorm, Nomadic tribal chief walks past the carcass of a cow that he says died of hunger, in Gadabeji, Niger, May 11, 2010. [AP File Photo]

Due to erratic rainfall and failed harvests, high food prices, and rising conflict, more than seven million people across the Sahel region of western Africa are at risk of plunging into crisis when the lean season begins this spring.

We know this as a result of our investments into early warning systems that monitor rainfall, harvests, market prices, climatic conditions and nutritional status.

As a result, on February 15, 2012, I attended an unprecedented event in with Rome that brought together assembled leaders from the United Nations agencies, European Union, and USAID, as well as representatives of affected governments and non-governmental organization.

It was a heartening and remarkable convergence on the need to mobilize for early integrated action in response to the early warnings in the Sahel, with an emphasis on a smart, targeted response… more »

Posted under: Africa

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