The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Directorate of Early Warning held a session on November 29, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. The meeting focused on reviewing and endorsing the ECOWAS Human Security Index (EHSI). The goal was to refine the framework's indicators to accurately reflect the situation in West Africa.
The EHSI is intended to monitor vulnerabilities and resilience in human security across five areas: crime and criminality, health, environment, security, and governance. Its aims include measuring human security levels, aiding policy development, improving governance accountability, and attracting investment and partnerships.
Dr. Onyinge Nkechi Onwuka, Acting Director of the Early Warning Directorate at the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the importance of the EHSI. She stated that "The ECOWAS Human Security Index that we are developing is not just a tool but a strategic framework to address the multidimensional challenges facing our region. It is a cornerstone for action, bridging data-driven insights with tangible, impactful interventions."
Dr. Onwuka explained that using the EHSI would help ECOWAS better understand key drivers of human insecurity. It would also enhance their ability to assess vulnerabilities and resilience mechanisms while supporting quantitative-driven forecasting and predictive analysis for informed response planning.
During discussions at the session, participants focused on refining the index’s dimensions and sub-dimensions to ensure they capture challenges faced by ECOWAS Member States effectively. They emphasized how EHSI’s indicators align with the ECOWARN system for coordinated early warning efforts across the region. The existing framework was reviewed to better serve policymakers, civil society, and other stakeholders.
The session included representatives from various ECOWAS Directorates such as Peacekeeping and Regional Security; Political Affairs; Strategic Planning; Monitoring & Evaluation; Human Development and Social Affairs; along with partners from UNOWAS and WANEP.
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