DiMSUR has regional ambitions. Mr. Remane highlighted the need to offer services on disaster risk reduction, disaster risk management and climate change adaptation that find solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa.  Three services will execute this mandate: Local and National Pilot Projects (LOPIs & NAPIs), The Light of Information (XIPEFO) and Regional Strategic Solutions (RSS). This was approved and has since begun implementation. 

In addition, Mr. Remane emphasized DiMSUR’s value in offering technical expertise on urban resilience and vulnerability. The organization has already developed a participatory resilience action planning methodology in partnership with UN-Habitat – the CityRAP tool – which allows localities to participate in urban design processes to reduce risk and build resilience. Moreover, it has co-authored a “Regional Assessment on Urban Vulnerability and Resilience in Southern African Development Community Member States”, providing a much-needed urban resilience framework for the region. 

As part of the Workshop, DiMSUR validated the work carried out by its partners in “Building Urban Climate Resilience in South Eastern Africa”: UN-Habitat and Oxfam. Furthermore, the organization presented during the Adaptation Fund Project’s 2nd Steering Committee Meeting, detailing developments in Zomba City, Malawi. The exchange offered an opportunity for collaboration and cross-fertilization between national and local teams from each respective country – a key moment as the project moves towards its third year of implementation. Mr. Remane, commented: