AU insurer in disaster risk financing deal with media agency

The aftermath of Cyclone Idai near the beach in Beira, Mozambique. The AU insurance agency, the African Risk Capacity, has signed an MoU with the African Media Initiative to create awareness on disaster risk financing. PHOTO | YASUYOSHI CHIBA | AFP

What you need to know:

  • ARC’s Director-General Mohamed Beavogui signed the MoU on behalf of his organisation.
  • Mr Beavogui warned that disaster risks are going to be more frequent and more devastating.
  • Dr Kasenally stressed the need for the African media to tell the continent’s story.

The AU insurance agency, the African Risk Capacity (ARC), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the African Media Initiative (AMI) to create awareness on disaster risk financing.

The deal was penned in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Sunday during an interactive workshop for journalists on reporting climate and disaster risk financing.

ARC’s Director-General Mohamed Beavogui signed the MoU on behalf of his organisation with Dr Roukaya Kasenally, the AMI chief executive, signing for the latter.

AFRICA ON THE RISE

Dr Kasenally stressed the need for the African media to tell the continent’s story, noting that “Africa on the rise will not happen without the media”.

Recalling Cyclone Idai that swept across Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe on March 15, Mr Beavogui warned that disaster risks are going to be more frequent and more devastating with the continued global warming, hence the need for Africa to be better prepared.

The programme was organised by ARC, the African Union Rural Economy and Agriculture and the Directorate of Information and Communication (DIC) of the African Union Commission.