The program Strengthening ECCAS Capacities in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change; implemented by the World Bank and funded through the European Union's ACP-EU Disaster Risk Management Program; managed by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR); represents a strategic effort to enhance the institutional capacities of Economic Commission of Central Africa (ECCAS) and its Member States in advancing Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) within the region.The foundation of this program rests on the achievements of the first phase under the EU-funded ACP Natural Disaster Risk Reduction Program; which operated from 2014 to 2021. During this period; substantial progress was made in fostering regional collaboration; enhancing coordination; and improving communication and information-sharing mechanisms within ECCAS Commission. Key accomplishments included the development of the state of play and regional framework for the improvement of the hydrological and meteorological services and early warning systems of Central Africa; the organization of two HYDROMET regional Forum; the development regional gender-sensitive DRM Plan of Action and a regional hazards/vulnerability and risks assessment database with transboundary and urban hazards developed. Building on these successes; ECCAS is ready to further its commitment by embarking on the second phase of the program; supported by new funding from the ACP-EU initiative. A significant aspect of this program is its alignment with the Sendai framework and Paris Agreement; ensuring that the activities contribute toward increasing the capacity of ECCAS and its Member States to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and promote climate resilience. To support ECCAS region to face their limited capacities in terms of disaster preparedness and response; this phase will focus on supporting disaster preparedness/response (i) capacities and needs assessments (physical and fiscal) in a pilot country including a gap analysis and recommendations in the form of an investment plan; and (ii) thru the development of a model for transboundary disaster response to develop cross-border response plans enhancing collaboration across ECCAS Member States on contingency planning. As an example; people living along the Congo River are regularly exposed to flooding; especially around the capitals of Kinshasa and Brazzaville (which face each other on either side of the river); causing population movements and emergency situations that are complicated to manage. Such enhancements are in line with the global shift from a response-oriented approach to disaster management towards a more proactive disaster risk management model; which aims at reducing risk and losses more effectively.Through these initiatives; ECCAS aims to move from a project-based approach to a holistic programmatic approach to sustain funding and ensure better coordination on given priority themes which requires technical assistance. Regional disaster risk management mechanisms need to be strengthened and climate-resilient development supported in ECCAS Member States to ensure a sustainable future by reinforcing regional integration.