PEI Africa was invited by the African Risk Capacity under the African Union to participate in the Technical Review Meeting organized in Johannesburg, 19^th-21^st of August 2013. The African Risk Capacity (ARC) was established in 2009 under the African Union to improve the speed at which drought response activities are implemented. The main purpose is to establish a risk pooling mechanism that will provide participating African Countries with quick disbursement of funds in the case of drought and to assist countries in developing drought response contingency plans to implement timely and effective responses.

The PEI representative was appointed to chair the meeting which aimed to bring together independent experts from different UN organizations, donor agencies and research Institutions dealing with issues related to; poverty; environment; climate change; droughts; food security and; gender to review the ARC Countries Operations Plans submitted by 6 African countries (Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritania, Senegal, and Niger).

The meeting concluded that all the operations plans adhered to the principles and objectives of the ARC but suggested some modifications to be incorporated before the final submissions including how the funds will be used to support vulnerable groups.