WMO WANTS COUNTRIES IN WEST AFRICA AND THE SAHEL TO SUPPORT LOCALIZED FORECAST AND EFFECTIVE PLANNING TO MITIGATE CLIMATE-RELATED HAZARDS 27-04-24
By Sadiq Aminu The World Meteorological Organization, WMO wants Countries in West Africa and the Sahel to support localized forecast and effective planning to mitigate climate-related hazards.
A representative of the Organization, Dr. Rowland Abah made the call during the closing of the seasonal forecasting workshop for agro-hydro- climatic characteristics for the Sahelian and Sudanian zones of West Africa and the Sahel in Abuja.
Dr. Abah stressed that the outcome of the workshop provides additional Early Warning information for the countries in West Africa and the Sahel region.
He emphasized that Climate change poses existential threats, a reason the United Nations Secretary General had urged all countries to ensure that Early Warning Systems covered all citizens by the year 2027.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo called on participants to downscale outcomes of the meeting to rural communities to meet the United Nations’ target of early warning for all.
The Minister explained that the outcome of the Forum remained a great planning tool for governments and policymakers across the region.
The Head of Information and Research Department, AGRHYMET Regional Centre, Dr. Abdu Ali said there would be late onset in the southern part of the region while rainfall would be over average in other areas.
Other participants called for strict adherence to the warnings to avoid loss of lives and property.