The Community Recovery and Resilience Facility (CRRF), an innovative and forward-thinking initiative by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). CRRF is designed to empower African communities to overcome recurring crises and build lasting resilience. A joint effort of the UNDP and the Africa Union Commission (AUC), this initiative focuses on enabling Eastern and Southern African communities to not only recover from disasters but to emerge stronger, more prepared, and self-sufficient. 

Africa is at a crossroads, facing a polycrisis—a storm of interconnected challenges including climate change, economic instability, prolonged conflicts, geopolitical tensions, epidemics, weak governance, and rising poverty levels. These overlapping crises have created a cycle of vulnerability, but with CRRF, we have a unique opportunity to break this cycle and foster sustainable development. 

Our Mission: Restoring Hope, Rebuilding Lives 

CRRF is about more than just recovery—it is about transforming lives and communities. Our mission is to provide the tools, resources, and knowledge that communities need to adapt, thrive, and withstand future challenges. We focus on: 

• Restoring hope through immediate recovery efforts, ensuring people receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.
• Strengthening institutions, equipping governments and local organizations with the ability to manage risks and respond effectively.
• Preparing communities for the future by implementing disaster preparedness and multi-hazard early warning systems.
• Creating economic opportunities, helping individuals rebuild livelihoods through sustainable jobs and skill development.
• Reconstructing essential infrastructure, including schools, healthcare centers, roads, and housing, to withstand future crises. 

CRRF is not just about reacting to disasters—it is about shaping a future where African communities stand strong, no matter what comes their way. 

Our Impact: Turning Challenges into Opportunities 

CRRF is a bold initiative with a clear and powerful impact. Over 60 million people across 17 African countries will benefit from our strategic interventions, with future expansions planned for North and West Africa. Our key actions include: 

• Reviving agriculture by restoring over 500 climate-smart irrigation infrastructures, strengthening food security for 5 million farming households.
• Empowering people with knowledge through early warning systems in 10 countries, ensuring over 60 million people receive critical disaster alerts in time.
• Providing safety nets for 2.4 million individuals, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations receive the support they need.
• Fueling economic growth by creating 500,000 jobs, with a focus on empowering youth and women.
• Rebuilding homes and vital infrastructure, ensuring access to safe housing, education, healthcare, and clean water for thousands of families. 

These interventions will create a ripple effect, empowering entire communities to not just survive but thrive in an ever-changing world. 

Why CRRF? A Vision for a Resilient Africa 

We believe in an Africa that is strong, resilient, and prepared for the future. CRRF aligns with key global and regional initiatives, ensuring that our work contributes to broader sustainability goals: 

• Agenda 2063 – Creating a prosperous and resilient Africa that is better equipped to handle crises.
• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Addressing poverty (SDG 1), sustainable infrastructure (SDG 9), resilient cities (SDG 11), and climate action (SDG 13).
• The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction – Enhancing disaster preparedness and risk management strategies.
• The Paris Agreement on Climate Change – Supporting climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
• The UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025 – Strengthening resilience, governance, and environmental sustainability. 

With CRRF, we are not just responding to challenges—we are building solutions for a better tomorrow. 

Who We Serve: Ensuring No One Is Left Behind 

At CRRF, we prioritize inclusion and equity, ensuring that those most in need receive targeted support. Our focus groups include: 

• Women and girls – Providing economic empowerment, addressing gender-based violence, and promoting leadership in resilience-building efforts.
• Children and youth – Ensuring continued education, food security, and skill development opportunities for a brighter future.
• Slum dwellers – Improving housing, sanitation, and access to essential services to enhance their quality of life.
• Persons with disabilities – Making disaster response and recovery accessible to all by removing barriers to participation and support.
• Displaced populations – Helping refugees and internally displaced individuals find stability through shelter, healthcare, and economic empowerment. 

By addressing these unique vulnerabilities, CRRF is committed to empowering communities with the tools to succeed. 

How We Work: A Two-Phase Approach 

CRRF operates in two key phases to ensure lasting and meaningful impact: 

1. Inception Phase (Year 1) – Laying the foundation by building partnerships, conducting assessments, and rolling out urgent recovery interventions.
2. Scale-Up Phase (Years 2-5) – Expanding our reach, strengthening institutional capacities, and implementing long-term solutions for resilience. 

A unique feature of CRRF is its Crisis Modifier Mechanism, which sets aside 10% of the budget for rapid response to new and unexpected crises. This ensures that we remain agile and adaptable, providing immediate support when and where it is needed most. 

Join Us in Building a Resilient Africa 

This is more than just an initiative—it is a movement towards a stronger and more prepared Africa. We invite governments, donors, development agencies, private sector partners, and civil society organizations to join us in making a real difference. 

Get Involved. Support. Partner. Act. 

For more information, contact: 

• Gatkuoth Kai, Regional Coordinator for Africa, DRT, Resilience Hub: gatkuoth.kai@undp.org 

Contact us today to explore how you can contribute to this transformative effort. Together, we can break the cycle of vulnerability and create a future of resilience, opportunity, and hope for millions across Africa.