About the African Risk Capacity Group

The African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group is a Specialized Agency of the African Union established to help African governments improve their capacities to better plan, prepare, and respond to extreme weather events and natural disasters. Through collaboration and innovative financing, the ARC Group enables countries to strengthen their disaster risk management systems and access rapid and predictable financing when disaster strikes to protect the food security and livelihoods of their vulnerable populations.

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ARC Member States

Testimonials

The innovative climate disaster risk mechanism offered by African Risk Capacity speaks to spirit of the Africa We Want. The establishment of a well-prepared contingency plan in anticipation of natural disaster risk makes the difference between timely response and destitution of the vulnerable population. ARC makes this positive difference by ensuring that affected populations get assistance on time.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

We must scale up catastrophe-triggered financial instruments, such as risk pooling mechanisms. The Africa Risk Capacity merits more investment.

António Guterres
United Nations Secretary-General

Africa contributes no more than 2-3% of greenhouse gas emissions but suffers disproportionately from the negative impacts of climate change. Africa has been shortchanged by the climate financing architecture. Therefore, we need instruments that will help mitigate climate risks

Akinwumi Adesina
President of the African Development Bank

We need better policies and planning to allocate water resources and to distribute the risks arising from water‑related disasters in a more equitable way. One successful example is the African Risk Capacity, which has created a risk pooling facility to meet the needs of communities hit by severe drought.

Amina J. Mohammed
Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations