The Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop on Integrated Flood Management (IFM) for the Nile Basin Countries was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 23 to 27 November 2009. The training course was organized jointly WMO/APFM (Associated Programme on Flood Management), in collaboration with FOEN (Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland), Cap-Net (Capacity Building for Integrated Water Resources Management), NBCBN (Nile Basin Capacity Building Network), and UNESCO-IHE. The ToT Workshop was hosted by ICPAC (IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Center) with the support of KMD (Kenya Meteorological Department).
Over recent years efforts have been made on a global scale specifically addressing the issue of floods within the context of sustainable development and in particular within the context of Integrated Water Resources Management. The concept of Integrated Flood Management (IFM) has served as a backbone for implementing these programmes. It has been instrumental in defining what role floods play in the development process of societies, and what the sustainable flood management options are.
Considering the importance of flood issues in the Nile Basin countries, WMO in response to a request from NBCBN agreed to organize in close collaboration with partners a training of trainers workshop on IFM within IWRM concept for the Nile Basin.
The ToT workshop was developed to familiarize participants from Nile Basin countries with the concept of IFM and prepare them to identify possible paths of actions towards implementation of the concept in their own field of work. It provided participants with in depth views of the social, economic, environmental and institutional dimensions of flood management and will allow them to develop an integrated perspective on floods, floodplains and development process in their own countries.
Give participants an overview on problems related to flooding, the floodplain, the development process, and the role they play in the overall framework of the Integrated Management of Water Resources (IWRM).
Provide participants an opportunity to think on innovative ways to address the issue of floods in their own context.
To present the effects and limits of traditional flood management options in light of future challenges.
To provide participants an opportunity to share their conceptions and ideas with water/disaster managers from other countries.
To provide a sufficient basis for future self-study on the issue and for an exchange network with other participants.
To equip participants with an analytical framework to allow them to analyze the various dimensions of flood management and to identify the multidisciplinary input requirements for IFM.
To equip participants with knowledge about available tools and methodologies to improve their flood management practices in their areas of responsibility.
Audience: Flood manager, Engineer, Professor, etc.
Understand the rationale for applying an Integrated Approach to Flood Management (IFM).
Understand the Social, Environmental, Economic, Legal and Institutional Dimensions of Flood Management, and as such the interdisciplinary nature of the concept and to appreciate the possible contribution of each discipline.
Understand the main principles and aims of IFM/IWRM (theoretical level) and critically review them within their own country context.
Understand the full range of flood management measures (structural and non-structural measures).
Be able to identify the stakeholders in their own country or area for IFM.
Be able to identify requirements and possible actions within their own jurisdiction that would strengthen IFM.
Be able to conduct similar awareness raising workshops and identify required tools to facilitate such action in their own context.
There is an urgent need to strengthen the Nile Basin countries capacities in IFM. The Training of Trainers Workshop offered a good opportunity to meet such demand.
The focal point in each country will coordinate the establishment of a group of experts to develop a programme for promoting and applying the IFM approach in the country. WMO and NBCBN will be notified with the composition and the ToR of the established group.
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