Annual Report 2019 Accelerating Life-saving Action, Maximizing Finance Effectiveness

OUTPUT 1: HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL SERVICE DELIVERY IMPROVED

Through national-level Output 1, the CREWS initiative supports improvements to the service delivery of national meteorological and hydrological entities, including the preparation and implementation of long-term service delivery strategies and plans to meet the needs of end users. Strategic plans for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) are based on the priority development needs of countries. They are recognized as central to the sustainable development of NMHSs and fosters closer cooperation between key government ministries and departments in charge of early warning systems. This output addresses the early warning element “Detection, monitoring, analysis and forecasting of the hazards and possible consequences”.

PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS

• In Burkina Faso, a strategic plan for the national meteorological agency was prepared, supported by Météo-France and the private firm WeatherForce, providing a nationally owned vision for strengthening the country’s hydrometeorological services.
• In Chad, project implementation planning to strengthen the national capacity in early warning service delivery was advanced through dialogues held with project stakeholders.
• In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a strategic action planning exercise was supported to develop the National Framework for Climate Services. Initial activities were conducted to develop the Mettelsat Business Plan, a long-term financial model that will ensure the sustainability of the project through Mettelsat, the government’s hydromet services.
• In Niger, the decree on the national alert code was adopted, and two training workshops were held for elected officials on municipal preparedness and emergency response plans in the Zinder and Maradi regions.
• In Tuvalu, the Tuvalu National Strategic Plan and Meteorological Bill establishing the country’s meteorological service department was approved at the ministerial level and will be presented to the Parliament for endorsement. Also, a Tuvalu drought policy was developed for drought early warning based on la Niña, rainfall and water storage status in the capital of Funafuti.

OUTPUT 2: RISK INFORMATION GENERATED FOR EARLY WARNINGS

Through national-level Output 2, the CREWS initiative supports improvements to risk information to guide early warning systems and for the development of impact-based forecast and warnings, namely those that inform on the potential impact of an extreme event rather than solely on the occurrence of the event. This output contributes to the “disaster risk knowledge” element of early warning systems.

PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS

• In the Democratic Republic of Congo, mapping of flood hotspot areas in Kinshasa was carried out through the Open Cities Initiative, while flood early warning systems and services training was provided to national meteorological services, local government and communities. Also, data archiving training was provided to staff of the government’s hydromet services, Mettelsat, by the Institut National des Archivages du Congo to strengthen safeguarding of the country’s hydrometeorological data. The Institut Hydrométéorologique de Formation et de Recherche in Algeria was identified to develop a long-term training plan for MettelSat.
• In Fiji, the Flash Flood Guidance System of Fiji was implemented. It improves the quality and lead-time of flash flood threat and risk products by up to 36 hours in advance. This included radar hydrology training for seven Fiji Met Service staff members and operational training for five staff, completed at the Hydrological Research Centre in San Diego, California. Learn more in this CREWS Impact Feature.
• In Mali, 48 people received start-up training in support of the West African Coastal Observation Mission.
• In Tuvalu and Kiribati, progress has been made to provide a new impact-based forecast and early warning system for coastal inundations, also known as storm-surges. Forecasts are benefitting from the development of wave models using data provided by wave buoys and pressure sensors. Vital data for model simulation and inundation forecasting was obtained through a bathymetry survey and liDar topography for Tuvalu, in collaboration with the UNDP Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project. A satellite bathymetry for Kiribati was also conducted, with the data to be used for offshore and coastal inundation forecasting models.
• In the Pacific Islands region, nearly 70 participants from the NMHS and national disaster management offices of 13 island countries participated in the first-ever regional training on impact-based forecast and warning systems, and developed an action plan to advance this within their respective country. A regional training was also held on new and emerging information technologies used by early warning systems, to ensure long-term sustainability.

In the Southeast Asia region:

• Forty forecasters and hydrologists responsible for disseminating forecasts and warning to their communities were trained on severe weather and flash flood forecasting, including multi-hazard impact-based forecasts and warnings. Participants included 24 men and 16 women, with 75% from Lao People’s Democratic Republic, where the event was held, and 25% from other Southeast Asia countries.
• NMHS experts from 14 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries participated in a five-day capacity building, knowledge/data sharing event – the Second Workshop on ASEAN Climate Data, Analysis and Projections. This was held in Singapore and attended by 43 participants who were trained on the use of ClimPACT2. This supports improved sector relevant extreme indices towards enhancement of estimates and model assessments of climate change variability and extremes.

OUTPUT 3: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY STRENGTHENED

Through national-level Output 3, the CREWS initiative strengthens information and communication technology, including through the adoption of common alerting protocols. This output contributes to the “warning dissemination and communication” element of early warning systems.

PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS

• In Afghanistan, assessment of the drought early warning system was carried out, while significant advances were made on an innovative initiative to build hydromet stations using 3D printing technology. This work builds on an initial USAID / WMO project and links to broader engagement by the World Bank. Learn more in this CREWS Impact Feature.
• Burkina Faso, training of two experts from the Burkina Faso National Water Resource Management Service on hydrological data management and analysis software was conducted.
• In Chad, agreements were progressed with the French Research and Development Institute, the French Centre for Agricultural Research for Development, the French Centre for Space Studies and national mobile phone operators to ensure optimal use of remote sensing techniques for monitoring of rainfall and runoff.
• In Lao People’s Democratic Republic, a two-year license agreement was established for the supply of European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts products, which has strengthened forecasting capacities.
• In Niger, hydromet database training was provided to staff from the national hydrological service, while capacity building was also carried out in support of broader weather, water and climate services.
• In Papua New Guinea, further assessment of national drought forecast capabilities was conducted. Based on input from stakeholders, recommendations for improvement of the available drought forecasts products have been produced.

In the Pacific Islands region:

• An online certificate training course on the common alerting protocol was developed and successfully launched, supporting experts across the Southeast Asia region.
• The first-ever Communication Mana Class was held to train the directors and senior staff of NMHSs across the region, on using social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter), radio, television and other media types to deliver natural disaster messages and information to the public.
• Regional improvements to NMHSs’ online information dissemination capacities have advanced, including the launch of the Cook Islands met service’s website. Also, assessments were carried out on the capacity for the NMHSs of the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Niue and Palau to host and manage websites and traditional knowledge databases.

Gender-specific technical capacity building activities are captured under Output 6 – Gender.

OUTPUT 4: PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLANS STRENGTHENED AND ACCESSIBLE

Through national-level Output 4, the CREWS initiative supports capacity building and institutional cooperation around standard operating procedures to generate, communicate, prepare for and act on warnings as an integral part of disaster preparedness and response plans. This output contributes to the “preparedness and response capabilities” element of early warning systems.

PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS

• In Burkina Faso, new sand and dust storm advisories and sub-seasonal climate prediction early warning forecasts were launched, reaching one million people in the country’s northern region. This included three pilot villages in which farmers were supported to apply early warning forecast information to their agricultural activities. Learn more in this CREWS Impact Feature.
• In the Democratic Republic of Congo, development of a flood early warning system in the pilot urban watershed of N’Djili in Kinshasa advanced considerably, including the completion of the flood risk assessment and identification of selected future scenarios. (See additional information under Output 2).
• In the Pacific Islands region, a community-based early warning system was developed for communities across the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Niue. Community-based early warning system and disaster risk reduction capacities were advanced in 14 Pacific Island countries, which included community disaster plan development and management training for 32 facilitators, at least two per state.

OUTPUT 5: AWARENESS ON EARLY WARNING IMPROVED

Through national-level Output 5, the CREWS initiative supports the development of knowledge products and awareness programmes on early warnings and contributes to the “preparedness and response capabilities” element of early warning systems.

PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS

• In Burkina Faso, a mid-term review of the early warning system relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability was conducted and is now available to advance knowledge. (See additional information under Output 4).
• Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso experts were supported to present their CREWS- funded early warning initiatives to an audience of more than 600 experts and practitioners at the Understanding Risk West and Central Africa conference held in November 2019 in Cote d’Ivoire. Experts from Chad were also funded to participate, to expand their knowledge.
• Globally, production and distribution of a new video on the Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) was supported, which includes testimonials from countries using the system. FFGS is an interactive system for use by meteorological and hydrological forecasters throughout the world, and a public benefit effort on behalf of its development partners.
• In the Pacific Islands region, a new animated video to prevent loss of life and property during coastal flooding in Pacific Island communities was produced and distributed. It includes life-saving tips on understanding early warning signs, how to access emergency alerts, what to expect during coastal flooding, seeking safe shelter, responding to dangers and staying informed.

OUTPUT 6: GENDER-SENSITIVE CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAMMES INITIATED

Through national-level Output 6, the CREWS initiative supports gender-sensitive training and the provision of capacity building programmes for women, as gender influences the way people access, process and respond to information and warnings. The CREWS initiative recognizes that women’s empowerment is fundamental for building resilience and through this output contributes to the “preparedness and response capabilities” element of early warning systems.

PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS

• In the Democratic Republic of Congo, women in Kinshasa were trained to conduct and collect household survey information for input into the mapping of exposure and vulnerability.
• In Mali, 90 women leaders were trained on prevention, disaster management and early warning through two regional training events.
• In Niger, terms of reference were developed to sensitize women on early and rapid warning systems in Niamey and 50 locations around the country.
• In the Caribbean region, the mapping of gender actors and initiatives was completed, and four national training and consultation events were held on the topic of “gender and early warning systems”, with the results used to feed the regional early warning system diagnostic and strategy development.
• In the Pacific Islands region, 35 women from 13 islands, representing meteorology, hydrology and climatology received leadership training, and took part in regional discussions on early warning systems.
• In the Southeast Asia region, 16 women forecasters and hydrologists, who are responsible for disseminating forecasts and warnings to their communities, were trained on severe weather and flash flood forecasting. This included multi-hazard impact-based forecasts and warnings, and was held in Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Gender and vulnerable group inclusion is a game changer in early warning and climate resilience. It is important to recognize that due to the varied socio-cultural differences, disasters affect women, girls, men and boys in different ways. By understanding this, we can better target actions, reach the entire population with early warnings, and improve the results of early warning systems and climate action.

REGIONAL OUTPUT: REGIONAL CAPACITIES FOR EARLY WARNING STRENGTHENED

Through its Regional Output, the CREWS initiative supports increased institutional and human capacities at regional WMO and intergovernmental organizations. This output addresses the early warning elements “detection, monitoring, analysis and forecasting of the hazards and possible consequences” and “disaster risk knowledge”.

PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS

In the Caribbean region:

• The Caribbean early warning system regional diagnostic was drafted, and a consultation process was carried out. The letter of agreement for project implementation is now under review by the Caribbean Meteorological Organization, the regional implementing partner. This will include the development of eight national strategic plans and model meteorological bills, and two national meteorological bills. Additionally, the Regional Sub-Management Team Meeting was held for the Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration Project-Eastern Caribbean.
• The first regional workshop on definition of roles and responsibilities among the early warning system actors was held in December 2019.
• Expert training in the “science to services interface” was provided by the UK Met Office to 50 staff members of 11 NMHSs from Commonwealth Caribbean Countries. Participants identified available climate services for the Caribbean on long-term climate change timescales, and co-developed good practices for communicating climate risk at a national scale.

In the Pacific Islands region:

• The long-term strategic plan is now complete for strengthening the capacity of the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC Nadi), within the Fiji Meteorological Service. This will enable RSMC Nadi to support other Pacific Islands and enhance the capacity of NMHSs of Pacific Island countries and territories to provide impact- based forecasts of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, cyclones and storms.
• The 5th Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum was held, resulting in the Regional Statement on the Climate 2018/2019 and the Tropical Cyclone Outlook for Oct-Dec 2019. The 50 participants included 18 women and 32 men from 15 NMHSs, as well as agricultural sector representatives from six countries, in order to strengthen meteorology- agriculture sector collaboration.

In the West Africa region:

• Technical experts were trained to support the Senegal National Meteorological and Civil Aviation Agency (ANACIM) for severe weather forecasting; ANACIM and the Specialised Institute of the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (AGRHYMET) for flood forecasting; AGRHYMET for regional climate coordination; and ANACIM, AGRHYMET and the West African Coastal Observation Mission for climate assessment and dataset, hydromet and climate extreme database.

In the Southeast Asia region:

• An assessment of multi-hazard early warning systems in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Viet Nam and the Philippines was carried out by the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System. Information on capacities and gaps was shared, towards enhancement of capacities across the region.
• The development of the Southeast Asia Flash Flood Guidance System was advanced at a regional planning meeting held in Viet Nam, during which stakeholders considered local data requirements and discussed a work plan for implementation. Also, forecasters from partner countries participated in training for radar quality assurance and quality control, and radar hydrology

The CREWS project is so important because we are talking about the most vulnerable of the vulnerable. CREWS funding has helped local meteorological services across the region provide weather forecasts and early warnings in simple ways which can be easily understood by local communities.