HARISSA PROJECT DESCRIPTION

HARISSA stands for “Natural HAzards, RISks and Society in Africa: developing knowledge and capacities”. HARISSA's long-term overall objective is to contribute to reducing the incidence of natural hazards and associated risks in Central Africa and in particular in the West Branch of the East African Rift (DRC, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi).

The project aims to develop knowledge and expertise of the partner institutions by following four specific objectives: 1/ academic training, 2/ mapping and hazard data collection, 3/ improving awareness and risk preparedness, and 4/ consolidating previous achievements. The achievement of these objectives is based on the strengthening of key institutions in these domains with a strong link to citizen-based science. The project aims to target the wide range of stakeholders concerned by natural risks and disasters, from academic or research groups to citizens and policy makers. The project will also look at the impact of citizen-science on development.

HARISSA is a 5-year project funded by the Belgian Development Cooperation (DGD). The project is coordinated by the by the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA, Belgium) in partnership with, in Uganda, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).

Project layout and pathway of change
A landscape at risk from landslides, floods and soil erosion, SW Uganda, February 2019