Quarterly Report for the First Quarter of 2017-2018 Reporting Period

The consortium, comprising 11 universities from 11 countries, aims to strengthen the capacity of African universities to contribute to disaster risk reduction and management in the region. The Periperi U program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under Agreement AID-OFDA-G-16–00115. The program's primary objective is to enhance the capacity of African universities to contribute to disaster risk reduction and management in the region. The program focuses on four key areas: global advocacy and engagement in disaster risk reduction, integration of disaster risk reduction within education and research programs, institutional embedding of disaster risk reduction scholarship, and establishment of core disaster risk activities in each partner university. The consortium has made significant progress in the first quarter of the 2017-2018 reporting period. The program's secretariat has provided operational support to the consortium, including preparatory work towards forthcoming engagements, training, and evaluation. The secretariat has also maintained the Periperi U Online Platforms, which serve as a hub for information sharing and collaboration among consortium members. The program has also made progress in its academic programs, with several universities offering courses and modules related to disaster risk reduction and management. For example, the University of Stellenbosch has offered a Master's program in Disaster Risk Management, while the University of Ghana has offered a Bachelor's program in Disaster Management. The program has also supported the development of academic modules, including a module on disaster risk reduction and management, which has been developed by the University of Buea. In addition to academic programs, the program has also supported the development of short courses and training programs. For example, the University of Antananarivo has offered a short course on disaster risk reduction and management, while the University of Sciences and Technology – Houari Boumediene has offered a training program on disaster risk management. The program has also supported the development of risk research and publications, with several universities publishing research papers and reports on disaster risk reduction and management. The program has also made progress in its community outreach activities, with several universities engaging with local communities on disaster risk reduction and management issues. For example, the University of Makerere has conducted a community outreach program on disaster risk reduction and management, while the University of Moi has conducted a training program for local communities on disaster risk management. The program has also engaged in international and regional engagements, including participation in the 13th Session of the Extended African Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The program has also supported the development of strategic and technical engagements by each partner university to advance robust disaster risk management policy and practice from local to global scales. Overall, the Periperi U Consortium of Universities has made significant progress in the first quarter of the 2017-2018 reporting period. The program has strengthened the capacity of African universities to contribute to disaster risk reduction and management in the region, and has supported the development of academic programs, short courses, and community outreach activities related to disaster risk reduction and management.