Disaster Risk Management in Africa - DRM Africa
The Pitch
Disaster Risk Management in Africa (DRM – Africa) developed the TACOR Project to rehabilitate communities along Lake Tanganyika and river areas that had been destroyed by flooding. They prepared them for future floods by implementing nature-based solutions and establishing new waste management systems.
The Problem
The water levels of Lake Tanganyika and the surrounding rivers are rapidly rising due to the effects of climate change, making several cities vulnerable to devastating floods. This increases the cost of living and rates of displacement and poverty.
The Process
- Created the TACOR Project to guide resilience efforts
- Helped communities rebuild homes and schools destroyed by flooding
- Collected waste from beaches that came from waste pits of destroyed homes, open defecation and solid waste dumping
- Involved communities in resilience planning and project implementation, such as nature-based solutions and tree planting
- Improved urban waste management systems and conducted beach cleanups
The Impact
- Rebuilt 540 houses in the city of Uvira and restored 12 schools, helping families return to their homes and children to resume school
- Improved the living conditions of 2,400 displaced people
- Planted 4,500 trees in Uvira and Baraka and restored destroyed riverbeds, improving local resilience to future flooding
- Reduced water pollution by collecting beach waste
- Minimized health risks by purifying water before providing it to households for use
- Encouraged youth involvement in recycling and created a culture of sustainability through the creation of urban waste systems
- Influenced local policies via research and communication: Countries bordering the lake banned fisheries from May 15–August 15 due to the communicated impacts of overfishing and increase in water temperatures
- Expanded reach to other cities who were damaged by severe floods
