OVERVIEW
Many of the 21 countries[1] in the West Africa region face recurrent complex emergencies, frequent food insecurity, sustained prevalence of acute malnutrition, cyclical drought, seasonal floods, and disease outbreaks, resulting in significant challenges to at-risk populations. Many cities in the region have rapidly expanded, often in areas prone to floods, landslides, and other natural hazards, causing urban growth to outpace the capacity of local authorities to respond to disasters. Conflict also scatters populations, triggering large-scale displacement that multiplies the vulnerabilities of those forcibly uprooted, who often lack access to resources, employment, and basic services.
USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) not only responds to disasters, but also funds disaster risk reduction (DRR) programs to build the capacity of communities to prepare for and respond to emergencies. USAID/OFDA’s DRR activities in West Africa during FY 2012 sought to reduce the risks and effects of acute malnutrition, food insecurity, displacement, and epidemics through programs that decrease household fragility and increase resilience to future shocks by addressing the root causes of recurrent emergencies in the region. During FY 2012, USAID/OFDA provided more than $52 million for DRR projects throughout West Africa, including programs that integrate DRR with disaster response.