IGAD Ministers adopt Mombasa declaration to strengthen early action against climate disasters

Ministers responsible for disaster risk management and humanitarian affairs from seven Eastern African countries have adopted the Mombasa Ministerial Declaration, committing to “strengthen early action, secure predictable financing and improve regional preparedness for climate-related disasters” .

The declaration was adopted on October 30 during the ministerial segment of the Second Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action (EADP2), held in Mombasa, Kenya.

The meeting brought together representatives from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Opening the ministerial discussions, the IGAD Executive Secretary called on member states to endorse the declaration and integrate anticipatory action into national policies, institutions and budgets.

The declaration highlights the growing vulnerability of Eastern Africa to recurrent droughts, floods, disease outbreaks, conflict-related emergencies and other cross-border hazards. It warns that these threats continue to undermine humanitarian progress and sustainable development, particularly affecting women, children, older people, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

Under the declaration, member states committed to moving beyond forecasting disasters towards taking preventive measures before emergencies occur.

The ministers agreed to strengthen early warning systems and connect them to clearly defined response mechanisms, including pre-agreed triggers, operational procedures and designated institutional responsibilities.

They also committed to developing and implementing national anticipatory action roadmaps, supported by measurable targets, implementation timelines and accountability mechanisms.

A major focus is financing. The declaration calls on governments to increase domestic investment in disaster preparedness and establish dedicated national, sectoral and subnational budget allocations to support early interventions.

It also encourages the use of contingency funds, disaster risk financing instruments, blended finance and other mechanisms to ensure resources are available before disasters strike.

The ministers further agreed to “strengthen cross-border cooperation in addressing hazards that affect multiple countries, including droughts, floods, disease outbreaks, forced displacement and desert locusts” .

IGAD, through its Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), has been requested to support implementation by developing a regional monitoring and reporting framework, improving information sharing and coordinating interoperable early warning and early action systems.

The declaration also calls for annual progress reviews, peer learning and regular reporting on national financing, institutional reforms and community participation.

A key commitment is to establish nationally agreed anticipatory action protocols for priority hazards by 2027. These protocols are expected to include risk thresholds, pre-arranged financing, coordinated interventions and clearly assigned responsibilities.

The ministers also called on development partners, humanitarian organisations, international financial institutions and the private sector to increase predictable financing and support locally led disaster preparedness initiatives.

The declaration was adopted in Mombasa on October 30, with the participating countries reaffirming their commitment to protecting lives, livelihoods and development gains through stronger preparedness and coordinated early action.

Mustaqbal