Raising Risk Awareness: Using Climate Science for Disaster Risk Management
This policy brief, presented as part of the Raising Risk Awareness initiative, concludes that, from the climate science perspective, results show the 2016-17 drought is less severe than the 2010-11 drought in Lamu, while in Marsabit they are comparable. It provides recommendations for decision-makers to link disaster risk management strategies with climate science.
In Kenya, the frequency and impact of disasters associated with extreme weather and climate events has provided fertile ground for exploring the link between climate and disasters. Many other climate vulnerable countries and regions across the globe have also had a similar experience. In many areas and across many communities, climate change is responsible for exacerbating existing development challenges, such as poverty and marginalisation. Extreme weather events associated with climate variability and change also create the potential for increasing risks facing communities through the destruction of existing assets, infrastructure and capacities that support resilience and adaptation. As such, it is commonly accepted that impacts of climate change negatively affect the resilience of already vulnerable communities in developing countries such as Kenya.
However, climate science can be utilised to save lives and livelihoods. Climate services and information can be utilised by communities, public authorities and disaster risk management institutions for early warning and mitigation strategies.
CIFOR