Sustainable North-South Africa Collaboration for Disaster and Crisis Management: A Strategic Capacity Development Framework using Open Science, Artificial Intelligence and Geoinformatics

Background: This paper explores strategies to enhance North-South collaboration to foster multi- and trans-disciplinary research in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and crisis management, emphasizing the role of open science, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and geoinformatics in developing a resilient and proactive approach to these challenges, as well as drawing on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the paper highlights how collaboration and data sharing can enhance preparedness, response, and recovery in future crises. Methods: The study uses a mixed approach to gather and analyze information. Qualitative methods focus on gathering descriptive data through engaging with experts and a structured review. By investigating literature, a comprehensive strategic framework for minimizing disaster risk, and for crisis management, is developed to provide adequate guidance to policymakers on implementation strategies and the application of how to build the human, institutional, and technological capacity required for effective disaster and crisis management (DCM). The events were used to engage with experts to provide recommendations and opportunities to enhance crisis response, capacity development and policy. Findings:>By presenting a comprehensive framework that bridges theoretical knowledge with practical application, our findings indicate that governments must address the challenges of DCM to minimize losses. The practices surrounding disaster recovery can provide opportunities for policymakers to reassess priorities and redirect resources toward building sustainable communities. Originality: There is no strategic framework that provides adequate guidance to policymakers on implementation strategies or the application of how to build the human, institutional and technological capacity required for effective DCM. This article develops a Decision Support Framework for DCM. We outline how open science promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration and the sharing of knowledge, while geoinformatics, AI enable real-time data analysis that supports proactive disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. This paper encompasses a strategic, comprehensive, capacity-building framework for achieving sustainable strengthening of North-South collaboration. Furthermore, it presents how to design the most efficient data policies in times of crisis and how we can use these tools to improve North-South cooperation in Africa’s DCM. Finally, it highlights challenges of implementation and presents solutions and opportunities for Africa.