The OSS as a regional implementing entity for the Adaptation Fund in collaboration with the regional executing entities the Global Water Partnership Eastern Africa (GWPEA) and the Global Water Partnership South Africa Non-Profit-Company (GWPSA-NPC) organised a virtual Launch ceremony of the DRESS-EA project.
The event was graced by various stakeholders across the IGAD region with the presence of the OSS Executive Secretary Mr Khatim Kherraz, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources -Sudan Dr Ali Yasir Mohamed, UNFCCC, Least Developed Countries Expert Group Dr Hana Hamadalla, GWP-Interim Chief Executive Officer Mr Peter Repinski, IGAD-ICPAC Director Dr Guleid Artan and representatives of regional executing entities, with the participation of all representatives of the beneficiary countries (Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda).
The ceremony was conducted via videoconferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic related situation globally experienced. The DRESS-EA project is the second regional transboundary initiative which is multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary in nature. It will be conducted in a participatory and integrated manner, and will encompass community, national, and regional levels. It aims to increase the resilience of smallholder farmers and pastoralists against climate change related risks, mainly the ones linked to drought, through the establishment of appropriate early warning systems and the implementation of drought adaptation actions in 4 countries of the IGAD region.