Strengthening Decentralization of Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Sidama and West, South and Central Ethiopia regions Contract related to: Strengthening Decentralization of Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Sidama and West, South and Central Ethiopia regions - Ethiopia is currently facing a complex crisis due to prolonged drought and internal conflict, impacting the well-being of millions of households. Within the framework of the third set of Individual Measures, this action focuses on strengthening the capacity of vulnerable communities and local authorities to manage and adapt to natural and man-made disasters with the following two specific objectives: ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Improve water resources management at basin level by strengthening institutional capacity on data collection, and preparation and execution of water basins master plans.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Increase resilience capacity of vulnerable population to cope with climate induced disasters, including food security crises, by enhancing capacity of local Disaster Risk Management (DRM) institutions in the early warning system, planning, and implementation of timely responses.&nbsp;The action will support the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) projects of Italy and Netherlands; focussing originally on building the capacity of water river basin institutions, our action will promote an integrated water resources management, so to reduce the effects of climate change (drought and floods), and ensure sustainable and equal access to water, mitigate conflicts between communities, and support biodiversity. The water management component will be coordinated also with activities supported by Denmark, in a Team Europe spirit.&nbsp;Decentralised disaster risk management (DRM) support will cover drought and conflict affected regions of the country, with a focus on enabling an early response system, and managing disasters related displacements. This support will cover regions at high risk of disaster, and regions where a DRM strategy is not yet implemented (Tigray, Afar, Benishangul and Gambella). The Regional DRM institutions will commit 50% of the (matching) funds to the early response and preparedness actions. EU support will be coordinated with Spanish support to the development of Woreda Disaster Risk profiles, and Mitigation and Adaptation plans.&nbsp;&nbsp;The action will contribute to the Great Green Wall initiative, and is aligned with European Green Deal, the European Consensus for Development, the Gender Action Plan III, the EU vision of the future Africa-EU partnership as per its Communication ¿Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa¿. It will directly respond to the 26th April 2022 ¿EU Food security in Horn of Africa Initiative¿ that aims to provide a substantial response to the devastating climate-induced drought affecting the Horn of Africa, and also to the IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI) strategy, recognising the need to empower vulnerable groups and individuals, including refugees and IDPs, in building resilience in general, and to drought in particular. &nbsp;The action is also aligned with the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction and the 2030 Agenda and will mainly contribute to SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), to SDG 5 (Gender equality), and SDG 13 (Climate action).