African Youth Advisory Board/ DRR

08/05/2026

08/05/2026

Africa cannot build resilience without investing in its young leaders. 🌍

In Addis Ababa, the African Union Commission hosted members of the Africa Youth Advisory Board (AYAB) on Disaster Risk Reduction and the Africa Science and Technology Advisory Group (Af-STAG) for a week-long planning and coordination meeting focused on strengthening Africa’s disaster resilience efforts.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review achievements, strengthen partnerships, and develop the 2026 workplans aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Africa.
During the opening session, Dr. Jihane El Gaouzi, Head of the Sustainable Environment Division at the African Union Commission, highlighted the critical role of youth:
“Africa needs the energy, innovation, and leadership of its young people now more than ever. Your role within AYAB is essential in advancing disaster risk reduction across the continent. There is still a lot of work ahead of us, and the African Union stands ready to support and work alongside you in building a more resilient Africa.”
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The gathering reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to empowering youth, promoting science-based solutions, and strengthening collaboration to address growing disaster risks across the continent.

08/05/2026

The future of Africa’s resilience is being shaped today, by young leaders. 🌍✨

This week in Addis Ababa, members of the Africa Youth Advisory Board (AYAB) and Af-STAG gathered for a strategic coordination meeting hosted by the African Union Commission to strengthen Africa’s Disaster Risk Reduction agenda.
Opening the session, Dr. Jihane El Gaouzi, Head of the Sustainable Environment Division at the African Union Commission, shared a powerful message:
✨ “Africa needs the energy, innovation, and leadership of its young people now more than ever. Your role within AYAB is essential in advancing disaster risk reduction across the continent.”
From reviewing progress to shaping the 2026 workplan, the meeting highlighted the importance of youth leadership, collaboration, science, and innovation in building resilient communities across Africa.

26/04/2026

26/11/2025

What role should science & innovation play in protecting Africa from disasters? 🌍✨
AYAB DRR joined experts at the Af‑STAG Symposium to push for evidence-based action under the Sendai Framework and Agenda 2063.
Our youth reps, Ruth & Armel, brought energy and ideas to the table—because resilience starts with collaboration! 💪
📌 Theme: Strengthening Science & Innovation for Resilience
Agenda2063

26/11/2025

Can science and technology help Africa prevent disasters before they strike?
The Africa Youth Advisory Board on Disaster Risk Reduction (AYAB DRR) proudly participated in the First Africa Science and Technology Symposium (Af‑STAG), co‑hosted with Periperi U and the African Union Commission.
Under the theme “Strengthening the Role of Science, Technology and Innovation for Evidence‑Based Implementation of the Sendai Framework,” the event highlighted the urgent need to align research, innovation, and policy to protect vulnerable communities.
Our representatives, Ruth Chomola and Armel Otekpo, ensured youth voices were heard in shaping Africa’s resilience agenda.

11/11/2025

Empowering Congolese youth for a resilient future 🇨🇩
Highlights from the AYAB DRR capacity-building workshop in Goma — organized by our Central African Representative and DRR Vice-Secretary, Katikomo John, in collaboration with UCS-Goma and the African Union Commission (AUC).

Together, we’re strengthening local action for disaster risk reduction and climate resilience across Africa 🌍

11/11/2025

AYAB’s Central African Representative & DRR Vice-Secretary, Katikomo John, led a powerful capacity-building workshop uniting young Congolese from universities and civil society 🌿

Together with and , participants explored how to:
🌋 Strengthen early warning systems
🌧️ Build community resilience
🌾 Create youth-led climate solutions

More than 50 young changemakers joined forces to make Goma stronger, safer, and more sustainable 💚

11/11/2025

🌍 Youth Empowerment in Action — Goma, DRC 🇨🇩

The African Youth Advisory Board on Disaster Risk Reduction (AYAB DRR), through its Central African Representative and Vice-Secretary, Katikomo John, organized a capacity-building workshop for Congolese youth from universities and civil society organizations.
Held in collaboration with the Catholic University La Sapiensia (UCS-Goma) and the African Union Commission (AUC), the workshop brought together more than 50 participants to strengthen skills in disaster risk management and climate resilience.

Young people, scientists, and activists worked side by side on practical solutions — from improving early warning systems for volcanic eruptions and floods 🌋, to promoting community-based resilience and climate-smart livelihoods 🌾.
A big step forward in empowering youth to build a resilient DRC! 💪

24/09/2025

The 3rd Annual Africa Public Health Students Summit (18–19 Sept 2025, Addis Ababa) brought together inspiring voices under the theme: “Empowering Africa’s Youth: Building Resilient Communities for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response.”

AYAB-DRR participated as a panelist, emphasizing the integration of DRR in health preparedness, youth-driven solutions, and localizing response by capacitating communities as first responders.

We closed by urging youth to continue advocating for more than 15% of national budgets for health—an essential step to strengthen Africa’s resilience.