Project for the prevention of cross-border disasters on the Niger River (ProCAN)

Summary

The project took place following the adverse effects of the 2012 floods in the region. ProCAN supported the villages to:

Develop communal action plans for reducing the risks and improving preparedness for disasters.
Conduct mitigation measures (strengthening dams, soil conservation).
Develop Early Warning Systems (EWS) and contingency plans. PROCAN was funded by GIZ.

The EWSs were created in collaboration with the key actors for the local land consolidation measures under the National Prevention and Management System for Disasters and Food Crises.

Project duration: 3 years, ending in 2015

Process

The community was involved from the project's identification phase through to the end of its implementation. Local knowledge and know-how helped to better guide the guidelines of the project.

Women and young people are among the most vulnerable groups, they therefore participated in sector meetings and other activities to ensure the success of PROCAN.

Impact

After the end of the project, there was a real involvement of all the actors. Targeted villages in the region can now deal with floods thanks to the drafting and implementation of an action plan and thanks to the establishment of disaster management committees. In addition, the municipalities where we intervened have developed a degree of collaboration. People know what's happening in each municipality and views are shared via a consultation framework.

The project supports a participatory assessment of vulnerabilities and flood risks in the 40 villages most affected by disasters along the Niger River. Its activities aim to minimise potential losses and damage for families in the event of disasters.

Other

The objectives of PROCAN have been generally achieved because it has mobilised all stakeholders and determined the roles of each one to prevent disasters.

Summary

Process

Tell us about the extent to which the CBDRM intervention was ‘owned’ by the community. Were local skills and knowledge used? What was the role of the local government? How were the CBDRM activities coordinated? By whom?

To what extent were the most marginalised and at-risk groups included in the CBDRM process? Focus on women, children and youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Are there any other marginalised groups in your society who were included in the CBDRM activities?

Impact

Please reflect on how well the initiative has been able to continue beyond the end of the programme. To what extent were local resources used for the CBDRM activities? How long since programme completion have the CBDRM practices continued?

Please describe how lives have changed since the CBDRM project. Think about different people’s levels of resilience and vulnerability.

Other

Please provide us with any other information you think will highlight the sustainability of your particular CBDRM project. Feel free to add relevant pictures, photos, graphs or anything else that may highlight the sustainability of your project.