With the STREAM programme (Strengthening Resilience through Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Management), we explore how Nature-based Solutions can contribute to humanitarian goals in the Nile Basin. The ultimate aim: healthy ecosystems, safe communities and sustainable economic opportunities.

The IUCN defines Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature.” Proper implementation of NbS requires time, scale, and involvement of local communities and experts.

There are many examples of Nature-based Solutions, including soil conservation, forest restoration, restoring river flows and certain forms of climate-smart or regenerative agriculture. For more information, consult the IFRC Nature Navigator Handbook.

The programme is currently being set-up by The Netherlands Red Cross, Egyptian Red Crescent and Ethiopian Red Cross, with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC).

To support the development of pilots and scale-ups as well as expansion of the programme to other countries, we are actively looking for additional funding and partners from civil society and knowledge institutes. You can reach us through our contact details at the bottom of this page.

The programme starts with a 1.5 years proof of concept project. In this project, the main question is which Nature-based Solutions are most suitable to address floods and drought, raising the resilience of people and nature in the Kafue Flats. The project has three key outputs:

1. Three concrete value propositions for effective Nature-based Solutions to address flood and drought in the Kafue Flats. Local stakeholders are closely involved in researching these propositions.
2. A position paper on the potential humanitarian, economic and environmental benefits of linking disaster management and Nature-based Solutions. This paper is meant to encourage governments, communities, donors, practitioners and the private sector to incorporate nature in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction action.
3. A collaboration and resource mobilization strategy to catalyze the next phase of the programme.

The IUCN defines Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature.” Proper implementation of NbS requires time, scale, and involvement of local communities and experts.

There are many examples of Nature-based Solutions, including soil conservation, forest restoration, restoring river flows and certain forms of climate-smart or regenerative agriculture. For more information, consult the IFRC Nature Navigator Handbook.

The Kafue Flats ecosystem is a mosaic of wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands that provide critical habitat for a diverse array of flora and fauna, including several endangered species. Approximately 1 million people live in this area, with many relying on it for their livelihood.

The functioning of the ecosystem is largely dependent on the seasonal flooding of the Kafue River. These floods support the growth of aquatic plants that provide food and shelter for a range of fish species, which in turn support local fisheries. The floodplains also provide grazing areas for wildlife and livestock, and support the growth of a range of crops, including rice, maize, and vegetables.

Climate change is already affecting the Kafue Flats ecosystem, with rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and more frequent and severe droughts and floods. Human modifications to the ecosystem, including land-use changes, dams, and infrastructure development, have also had significant impacts on the functioning of the ecosystem. This affects people as well, as the inhabitants of the Flats depend on the ecosystem for water, fish, irrigation, grazing land, transport, energy and tourism.

Restoring the natural system will allow it to fulfill these functions, while also reducing the risk of natural disasters by absorbing excess water during floods and releasing water during droughts.

After the proof-of-concept phase was completed in July 2024, the programme has now moved into the implementation phase. In the coming years, the selected NbS will be put into practice, and the programme will be scaled up to 4 to 5 additional landscapes.

This project is developed by the Zambia Red Cross Society, the Zambian World Wildlife Fund , the Dutch World Wildlife Fund  and the Netherlands Red Cross. Additionally, 510 (the data and digital initiative of the Netherlands Red Cross) plays a major role in researching the feasibility of various Nature-based Solutions.

Local stakeholders such as authorities, knowledge institutes and communities will be closely involved in researching the NbS propositions.

With a total of 41 members, the group’s committed volunteers from multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary organizations and institutions aim to empower volunteers, communities, civil society organizations, and other groups as change makers. In this way the Hub increases capacity and understanding on disaster risk, resilience, and nature-based solutions.

The Pintakasi Hub works on three main areas of focus:

Lobby and advocacy: Through dialogue meetings and consultations the Landscape Programme has worked with stakeholders to create a strong multi-stakeholder participation and continuous advocacy for collaborative efforts and integrated programs on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and environmental management and restoration.

Capacity strengthening: Pintakasi Hub is able to identify the challenges and gaps in the landscape, and developed a strategic action plan through workshops, webinars and learning visits. The plan includes sharing of knowledge and practices that deepen the awareness of environmental returns, as well as reflecting on stakeholders’ approaches, processes, and progress to enhance and replicate potential programs, practices, and policies for the landscape.

Partnership and collaboration: Initiated by the Philippines Red Cross, the Pintakasi Hub has worked on a series of activities, together with other institutions. These efforts are now recognized and supported by many organizations, resulting in continued partnership support and collaboration of activities and future programs.

The Pintakasi Hub aims to implement a landscape restoration project that will have an emphasis on nature-based solutions, eco-tourism, and livelihoods using innovative approaches to mitigate and adapt the impact of climate change.

Climate-smart agroforestry:  promotion of native species of hardwood trees, fruit-bearing trees, bamboo, to improve ecosystem functions that will generate economic, and social benefits. This fosters ownership and responsibility among community members on agricultural production and protection of forest lands and restoration of river systems.

Renewable energy: application and promotion of solar technologies to minimize electric consumption and maximize utilization of natural resources to establish a model community.

Sustainable livelihoods and food security: supporting community members at the household level to integrate productivity and profitability using backyard or household gardening techniques. This enables them to access food sources using sustainable materials that will then contribute to healthy and sustainable landscapes.

Community-based knowledge and resource center: a facility that will encourage learning, sharing, and development for communities, cooperatives, youth and other sectoral groups. This will serve as a resource pool to have cost-effective and accessible local and science-based data and information.

Mangrove ecotourism and conservation: increasing the appreciation of biodiversity through ecotourism is a practical way to promote protection and preservation of mangrove forests. It also creates social and economic benefits for local communities empowering them to build sustainable alternative sources of livelihood.