Speaking on Monday the 21st of October, 2024, Mutorwa said, “Africa needs plans and mechanisms that are fit for purpose and can be understood by early warning system users.”

Mutorwa urged African leaders to advance the swift implementation of the 2023–2027 Action Plan to ensure its success. He also said that the continent is interconnected and urged decision-makers to explore ways that can accelerate the adoption of early warning systems across the continent.

Accordingly, Agnes Lawrence Kijazi, Director of the Regional Office for Africa, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said that the continent needs to enhance information sharing to effectively ascertain risk management.

Kijazi asserted the imperative need to enhance early warning systems in Africa. She also stated that the need for continuous stakeholder involvement.

The forum also underscored the critical role of early warning systems in reducing the impact of disasters such as floods, droughts, and wildfires.

While some progress has been made in establishing early warning systems across the continent, a 2023 report noted that 40% of the population has access to early warning systems.

Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for DRR, and Head, of the UN Office for DRR (UNDRR) urged Africa to cooperate and collaborate to prevent risks from becoming disasters.

Early this year there was unprecedented rainfall in large parts of the Sahel and East Africa regions which resulted in flooding in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, some parts of  Tanzania, Uganda, and largely in Kenya. However, the collective effort was not necessarily put in place as each state was left to fend on its own.

There are bouts of renewed optimism for collaborative efforts among African nations to protect their citizens from the escalating threats of natural disasters as the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) champions initiatives like the AfRP-9 forum.

Speaking during the session the Deputy Governor of Kilifi, Honorable Flora Mbetsa Chibule, said “Now is the time to view our youth not just as personnel that can help in disaster risk reduction.”

The governor lauded the United Nations agencies and AMREF for supporting youth participation and inclusion during the 10th National Symposium for Disaster Risk Reduction. She also stressed that technology and innovation, which, are predominately manned by the youth, need to be embedded in disaster response because they play a pivotal role in disaster risk awareness.

“We need concrete plans that make young people the center of change,” said Governor Mbesta, “The future of disaster risk reduction is in the hands of the youth. ” 

The deputy governor also emphasized that the disaster risk reduction strategy should be more forward-looking because the youth may be grossly impacted if they are not part of the solution.

Historically, the Kenyan youth were relegated to passive roles in disaster relief efforts, however, statistics from the flashfloods that ravaged Kenya noted that 90% of the casualties were under 35.

In the same breadth, Everlyn Koech is the team leader for environment and resilience at the United Nations Development Agency in Kenya. said,  “Managing disaster is not just a humanitarian issue it is a development issue.“

Koech also underscored the importance of collaboration in reducing risks and disasters and lauded the need for including the youth in collective response to disaster. 

The symposium also included youth voices and held a panel discussion where the youth champions from the UNFPA advisory panel gave their views on what needs to be prioritized in the disaster risk response.

Allan Mwita one of the youth representatives from UNFPA said that people with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by disaster. Mwita stated that disaster responses need to have a response strategy for persons living with disabilities.

“Disaster respondents should leave no one behind,” said Mwita, “People with disabilities also need to be prioritized when we think of disaster response.”

Accordingly, Brian Mukusa insisted that disaster management policies must forefront youth because the youth are the largest population in Kenya.

UNFPA Kenya’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment is evident in its support for over 30 young leaders to participate in the 10th National Symposium for Disaster Risk Reduction in Kenya.

This landmark event brought together policymakers, community leaders, development partners, and most importantly, the youth, to forge innovative and inclusive strategies for mitigating disaster risks and combating the impacts of climate change.