Lessons learned from flood risk mitigation in a developing nation Elaine Kelley Please note: this presentation is off the record and not for attribution.

Lessons learned from flood risk mitigation in a developing nation

What’s Ouagadougou Got to do With It?

Elaine KelleyPlease note: this presentation is off the record and not for attribution. Any views expressed in this presentation are personal and are not on behalf of any U.S. Government Agency.

Where is Burkina Faso?

Population:16.7 million

Land Area: Slightly larger than Colorado

People from Burkina Faso are called Burkinabé

Northern desert Region is known as the Sahel

Two major seasons:Rainy and Harmattan

Life expectancy: about 54 years

Life expectancy inThe U.S.: about 78 years

Prevalence of acute malnutrition:11.3% (2009)

Total deaths due to malaria in 2010:7,360

Land Coverage

OUAGADOUGOU

1. Septembre 2009

Resettlement Camp, “Yagma”

Mitigation: Elevation

Appears to have a higher foundation

Living in Floodplains

Agriculture along Reservoirs

“Les Barrages”

Dam Construction Site Visit

Swedish-Funded Dam

- The Director of “CONASUR,” National Emergency Management Agency

- The head/Commanding Officer of Civil Protection

- Red Cross

- FEWSnet (Famine Early Warning System)

- Catholic Relief Services

Flooding Preparedness Meetings

First Response Capability nearly non-existent

During flooding events, Burkina Faso immediately receives large amounts of donations from other countries (i.e. United States, France, Canada, European Union).

But how do they rescue those that are isolated due to flood damage and bring them food and water?

And who helps rebuild more resilient communities?

Findings Reported to Washington

- Facilitated relationship between local Civil Protection and DATT; potential RESPONSE Support from U.S. military

- Sought Disaster risk reduction funds from regional USAID/OFDA hub in Dakar, Senegal

- Briefed Embassy staff using Floodsmart materials

MDRO Initiatives

why prioritize flood risk management?

- Flooding hurts development in all sectors; recovery should be followed by mitigation.

- Burkina Faso will never be free of the burden of natural disasters, whether they are deprived of or inundated by water.

- Flood mitigation can help promote Burkina’s security, stability, and financial capacity.*

A Nation in a Perpetual State of Disaster

*These statements are personal and do not represent anyone but myself

Speaking Their Language

Risk Perception

ParallelsConcept of natural disaster as national tragedy- Strike while the iron is hot-Harness the societal momentum/focus on a natural disaster such as catastrophic flood.

Risk Perception- short term

-What is worth the investment? -100 year flood?

Cultural Sensitivity-Understand your audience-Know their values- Speak their language

Rural/Urban Flash Flooding

I welcome your questions/comments

[email protected]

Thank you for your attention!