Strengthening Climate Information and Early Warning Systems in Ethiopia

Summary

The project, "Strengthening Climate Information and Early Warning Systems in Ethiopia to Support Climate Resilient Development", responds to priorities and actions identified in the NAPA of Ethiopia which articulate the need for securing, transferring and installing critical technologies, as well as developing the necessary systems for climate change-related information to permeate into decision-making processes. The technologies required to achieve these aims will increase the capacity of the national early warning network to forewarn and rapidly respond to extreme climate events. 

The NAPA clearly identifies a priority project on Early Warning Systems, as well as projects associated with Food security, Water resources and Terrestrial ecosystems. This proposal requests LDCF funds for the identified EWS project which is not associated with any one particular sector and is expected to be relevant to multiple sectors, including food/agriculture, water management, health and energy.

For updates on UNDP Early Warning Systems and Climate Resilient Development projects in Africa, visit the UNDP-EWS Africa Blog.

Project Components

A lack of meteorological and hydrological monitoring stations in Ethiopia has meant that many important regions and populations vulnerable to climate hazards are not monitored e.g. drought conditions (rainfall) are not monitored for important agricultural lands, intense rainfall is not monitored in areas prone to landslides and flooding, and rapid rises in rivers as a precursor to flooding goes unnoticed. Therefore many potentially threatening hazards are not forewarned because of a lack of monitoring stations. Where stations exist they are often manually operated and do not report measurements for days to weeks after the climate hazards have passed. Equipment failure is also common and regular checks and maintenance often neglected due to insufficient funds, incentives and regulatory policies resulting in poor quality and unreliable data for making management decisions related to climate change induced disaster risks.

It is expected that as climate change unfolds the frequency and intensity of climate related shocks will change, improving Early Warning Systems (EWS) is one way to adapt to a changing climate. As an adaptive measure EWS also benefits the poorer segments of society, those who do not necessarily benefit from larger protective infrastructure projects. Furthermore, improving EWS also provides benefits for long term planning and aids other institutions in building capacity to service other needs (e.g. for land-use and agricultural planning, hydro-electric power, etc.)

To allow countries to better manage severe weather related disasters, food security and agricultural production, scarce and dwindling water resources and make their socioeconomic development process less vulnerable to climate-related risks it is essential to:

  • enhance the capacity of hydro-meteorological services and networks for predicting climatic events and associated risks;
  • develop a more effective, efficient and targeted delivery of climate information including early warnings;
  • support improved and timely preparedness and response to forecast climate-related risks and vulnerabilities.

These objectives require developing robust weather and climate observation, forecasting, and monitoring infrastructure, which can be rapidly deployed, is relatively easy to maintain, and simple to use. Such a weather and climate monitoring system can provide countries with the capacity to develop: (i) an early warning system for severe weather; (ii) real-time weather and hydrological monitoring; (iii) weather forecasting capabilities (Numerical Weather Prediction); (iv) agro-meteorological information and services (including integrated crop and pest management); (v) applications related to building and management of infrastructure; (vi) land, air and maritime transport management; (vii) integrated water resources management; (viii) coastal zone and land management; and (ix) planning and policy making processes.

Source: UNDP Ethiopia Project Identification Form (May 8, 2012)

Expected Outputs

  • Outcome 1: Enhanced capacity of national hydro-meteorological (NHMS) and environmental institutions to monitor extreme weather and climate change.
    • Output 1.1: Procurement and installation or rehabilitation (in case of existing) of approximately 10+ hydrological monitoring stations with telemetry, archiving and data processing facilities.
    • Output 1.2: Procurement and installation or rehabilitation of 20+ meteorological monitoring stations with telemetry, archiving and data processing facilities.
    • Output 1.3: Procurement and installation or rehabilitation of radar for monitoring severe weather.
    • Output 1.4: Procurement and installation or rehabilitation of upper air monitoring stations.
    • Output 1.5: Procurement and installation or rehabilitation of satellite monitoring equipment to receive real time climate and environmental information.  
    • Output 1.6: Training of at least 3-5 officers to maintain and repair equipment, computer infrastructure and telecommunications
  • Outcome 2: Efficient and effective use of hydro-meteorological and environmental information for making early warnings and long-term development plans. 
    • Output 2.1: NHMS capacity to make and use climate forecasts (on daily to seasonal, as well as medium- to long-term timescales) is strengthened by training at least 4 forecasters
    • Output 2.2: Tailored sector-specific early warning products that link climate, environmental and socio-economic information on a range of timescales are developed, based on identified user needs.                    
    • Output 2.3: National capacity for assimilating forecasts and monitoring into existing development planning, PRSPs and disaster management systems is built.                    
    • Output 2.4: Communication channels and procedures for issuing warnings (through both governmental and non-governmental agencies) are enabled (e.g. radio, newspapers, mobile phones, television etc.).                      
    • Output 2.5: Plan for sustainable financing for the operation and maintenance of the installed EWS developed and implemented.         
  • Outcome 3: All components of implemented EWS are able to function as an integrated system within and between countries
    • Output 3.1: Technical guidance and training delivered to all relevant country agencies on selection and identification of cost effective technologies, including climate monitoring equipment, tailoring of climate information and generation of technically robust warning messages.
    • Output 3.2: Key stakeholders trained on installation of new equipment, warning products and systems in coordination with other ongoing initiatives, including supporting and strengthening EWS related activities (equipment purchases, telecommunications, computer systems, decision support tools) implemented through other initiatives.

Source: UNDP Ethiopia Project Identification Form (May 8, 2012)

Project Status:

In Development

Resources

There are no related resources for this project.

Ethiopia

Theme(s)

Financing Amount

4,900,000 (As of May 18, 2012)

Cofinancing Total

20,750,000 (As of May 18, 2012)

Contacts

Primary Beneficiaries

Rural farmers and urban residents who will be given advanced warning in the case of extreme weather events and droughts which places an increasing number of livelihoods in danger.