Caritas Ghana stresses community empowerment in disaster risk management at Pan-African workshop

Caritas Ghana has emphasized the importance of empowering communities to lead their own disaster risk management efforts.

Addressing the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop aimed at building the capacity of Caritas Directors and Technical Staff across Africa in Accra on December 2, Mr. Richard Akurugu, National Director of Caritas Ghana, stressed the urgent need for disaster resilience initiatives that go beyond emergency relief and involve local communities in the heart of preparedness.

He called for a transformation in disaster response, one that empowers grassroots communities to anticipate, prepare for, and mitigate the impacts of disasters, especially as climate change exacerbates the frequency and intensity of such events.

“Disasters, whether natural or human-made, continue to expose the vulnerabilities within our communities, particularly among the poor and marginalized,” he said.

“As Caritas organizations, our mission compels us to respond with compassion and action. However, our work must go beyond emergency relief; it must empower communities to lead their own preparedness and resilience-building efforts,” Mr. Akurugu averred.

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The workshop, which opened on December 2, 2024, brings together about 50 participants from across Africa, including representatives from countries in the West African, Central African, and Eastern African regions, as well as Madagascar. It aims to equip National Caritas Directors with the tools, knowledge, and facilitation skills necessary for effective Community-Led Disaster Risk Management (CLDRM).

The Caritas Ghana boss further highlighted the significance of the workshop, aligning it with global and regional disaster management efforts. “This workshop, therefore, is a significant step forward in achieving that vision. By equipping National Caritas Directors with practical tools, knowledge, and strategies, we are building a network of leaders who can drive this mission across Africa,” he said.

He also pointed out that Caritas Ghana’s new Strategic Framework prioritizes community-led disaster preparedness, recognizing that solutions must be tailored to local contexts. “We firmly believe that placing communities at the heart of disaster risk management ensures interventions that are both sustainable and attuned to local realities,” he affirmed.

The workshop aligns with key frameworks such as the African Union’s Disaster Management Plan, Ghana’s Vision 2057, and Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. In his speech, Mr. Akurugu reminded participants that disaster risk management is not just about technical preparedness but also about safeguarding human dignity and promoting justice.

He urged the workshop attendees to engage fully in the learning process, emphasizing that the knowledge gained would benefit their communities and strengthen the collective effort of Caritas across Africa.

The workshop, which will run until December 4, is set to strengthen disaster resilience efforts across the African continent, with a focus on building community-led solutions that are sustainable and impactful in the face of growing climate-related challenges.