Gender and development

Participation

Population

Sustainable livelihoods

Calendar

Links

Publications

Comments?

Copyright

September 2005

Agropastoral land and
drought risk management in Niger

The case of Dakoro and Abalak

M. Abdoulaye, O. Hamani, A. Mounsouroune and M. Watakane
LASDEL - Laboratoire d’études et de recherche sur les dynamiques sociales
et le développement local

The role of local-level institutions in reducing vulnerability to recurrent natural disasters and in sustainable livelihoods development in high-risk areas is analysed in this study. The role of local institutions and organizations in designing and implementing disaster risk management strategies in order to understand the impact of decentralization and the role of local authorities in building community “social capital” for disaster prevention and preparedness is described. It is hoped that this understanding will allow disaster risk management to be better integrated into development strategies.

Niger is a Sahelian country where drought and famines are recurrent and cyclical. The socio-economic, political and environmental impact of this situation is severe and negative, with sometimes harsh localized outcomes. Numerous actors with overlapping strategies and standards are involved in managing the range of operations undertaken to combat severe drought and food insecurity in Niger. Actors from formal central structures, such as the national committee on food crises (CCA), or the early-warning information and national catastrophe alert systems (SAP/GC), are key central bodies that are being challenged to develop improved approaches in order to respond better to urgent critical needs, notably with timely information exchange and appropriate decision-making. These bodies are also being asked to conduct concrete activities on the ground.

The study has shown that, in addition to various project initiatives in local areas, involvement of local-level actors – including not only local decentralized civil servants but also and most importantly traditional chiefs, community-based leaders and local associations – is crucial for ensuring better results in disaster risk management. Key areas include drought warning, preparation, response and relief, with emphasis on taking decision-making and action to local levels. Existing forms of traditional and informal rules and practices should be integrated into the design of innovative mechanisms for any risk management programme. These include:

• reciprocity among farmer and herders;
• informal networks;
• enhanced dialogue among community members;
• agreeing upon rules of passage for transhumance through “corridors”;
• conflict mediation over water sources; and
• diversified livelihood strategies.

However, as noted in examples in the study, caution is needed to prevent clientelism and a “politicization” of drought and disaster aid support through competition over scarce resources. The “land commissions” (commissions foncières) currently being implemented throughout Niger may be one promising initiative for strengthening and legitimizing a local forum for conflict negotiation and transparent decision-making. The case study shows that a decentralized approach to drought and famine is appropriate, and that a combination of participatory strategies for drought prevention and risk management from both central and subsidiary levels works the best. This study is based on the premise that successful disaster risk mitigation and management, as well as rural development, require that central government ministries and departments be better coordinated with decentralized government and non-government local actors. Actions and resources must be organized directly in response to real needs, and coordinated and decentralized according to the comparative advantages of local players. Topics under consideration include incorporating local perspectives, behaviour and practices into policy-making and rural development planning and action, and ensuring two-way communication between all levels so that implementation will be appropriate and timely. This paper highlights that local-level participation in handling emergencies is a critical link to the prevention, preparedness, and reconstruction phases of disaster risk management.

Click here to view the document (available only in French).