EAP Development Mission

12. September 2024

Foto: Seidemann

From September 2nd through September 11th, Professor Geiger and his team had the pleasure of hosting members from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), and the University of Ibadan for an Early Action Protocol (EAP) workshop. The EAP is a critical element of the REBUMAA project, co-funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and IDRC, that will be tested in real flood events once fully developed. Each day of the workshop consisted of presentations, group work, and meetings with key stakeholders to create the first draft of the EAP, which will be submitted for approval within the IFRC. Professor Geiger and his team gained important insights into the EAP development process, and were able to engage with the Red Cross Climate Center to better understand how EAP trigger levels for riverine floods are determined.

Participants from the workshop also had the opportunity to join a tour led by the State Office for Roads, Bridges, and Waterways (Landesbetrieb Straßen, Brücken und Gewässer) throughout the habor and HafenCity here in Hamburg. The tour showcases the design and functionality of various elements of Hamburg’s storm surge protection, while also teaching the history of flood protection in the city. While informative, the tour was also inspiring as the participants were able to interact with the preventative and protective measures taken in Hamburg, and reflect on what they learned while continuing to produce the EAP for the selected communities of the REBUMAA project within Nigeria.

Overall, it was a very successful and enlightening few days. The developing of the EAP is a major step within the Nigerian phase of the REBUMAA project. Professor Geiger and his team gained insights that will carry over into further project activities.