The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) says the UN will prioritise early warning systems against climate disasters globally by 2027.
Dr Benard Gomez, the representative of WMO for West, Central and North Africa, disclosed this on Wednesday, April 24, in Abuja in a goodwill message at the ongoing four-day 2024 Regional Climate Outlook Forum.
Gomez, who was represented by Mr Rowland Abah, said that, with the support of the African Union Commission and Partners, an “Earlier Warning for all Action Plan” had been developed for Africa as well.
“The state of climate in Africa report 2022 revealed that more than 110 million people on the African continent were directly affected by weather, climate and water-related hazards in 2022.
“This would cause more than $8.5 billion in economic damages.
“The development of ‘Early Warning Systems’ to cover everyone on the planet with Early Warning Systems by 2027 is now a priority of the United Nation,” he said.
Gomez said WMO had migrated Global Data Processing and Forecasting Systems (GDPFS) to its Integrated Processing and Prediction System (WIPPS).
He said the migration would improve coordinate exchange of earth system observation, numerical weather prediction and access to model products.
Gomez commended AGRHYMET Regional Centre, a specialised institute for drought control, for its 50 years of providing climate and capacity development service to Sahelian and West African countries.
In his remarks, the Director General of AGRHYMET Regional Centre, Dr Abdul Ali, thanked the Federal Government and Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in particular, for hosting the 2024 regional climate outlook forum.
Ali said that data from the centre revealed that more than 50 million people would experience food crisis in the region during the upcoming lean season from June to August, if appropriate measures were not taken.
By Gabriel Agbeja
