The main implementation steps and results were discussed and analyzed. The following came out as main lessons learned:
- The involvement of political and community actors is crucial in the implementation of Integrated Drought Management (IDM) actions;
- The partnership approach makes it possible to capitalize on best practices and mobilize various expertise within the framework of IDM; this calls for the involvement of technical services, resource persons and other organizations in the field of IDM;
- Small, well-targeted actions that take into account the needs of stakeholders including women and young people have significant impacts at the community level;
- Community actions on a small scale can stimulate the development of IDM initiatives;
- Technical and institutional capacity building in IDM taking into account the mobilization of financial resources is crucial to ensure the sustainability and scale-up of IDMP/WA;
- Synergy of actions at national and regional level is a determining factor for the implementation of integrated drought management;
- Conducting communication and awareness-raising actions before, during and after the implementation of the project is crucial for the ownership of the acquired knowledge;
- The real involvement of the beneficiaries in the project is a factor of sustainability;
- The creation of a framework of consultation and exchanges for the elaboration of projects makes it possible to draft projects adapted to the needs of stakeholders.
The meeting recommended among other things that the reginal and national IDM platforms be functional and the CWP operational capacity strengthened and more civil society organizations be involved in IDM activities in the region and in the countries.
Main activities to focus on moving forward were identified in terms of coordination, advocacy, communication, capacity building and Research &Development as well as fund raising.