Latest news with #ANAM
Zawya
17-03-2025
- Science
- Zawya
Former Norwegian Capacity (NORCAP) Expert new Head of Burkina Faso National Met Agency
Mariam joined NORCAP in 2023 through the Climate Action Accelerator Programme. Under the guidance of her NORCAP mentor, Emmanuel Poan, she successfully validated and operationalised the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, adapting it to Burkina Faso's unique climate conditions. The team´s collective efforts significantly strengthened ANAM's technical capacity for climate services, improving forecast accuracy and making climate predictions more reliable and actionable for agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and water resource management. 'These improvements have helped decision-makers and communities make better-informed choices, enhancing resilience to climate risks,' says Mariam. Mariam's application to NORCAP's Climate Action Accelerator Programme stood out among the many applicants. Mariam highlights ANAM's debut at FESPACO 2025, Africa's largest film festival, as a significant milestone. By mobilising a team of meteorologists and communication experts at an interactive stand, Mariam and her colleagues showcased how weather impacts film production, logistics, and public safety. 'This initiative expanded ANAM's reach, demonstrating that meteorology is not just about forecasting but also a crucial tool for risk management, logistics, and creative industries,' says Mariam. Bridging the gap Through her work with NORCAP and ANAM, Mariam has been successful in bridging the gap between science and society. Mariam expresses her deep gratitude to the Burkinabè authorities for placing their trust in her and for their commitment to integrating gender inclusivity into climate governance. She reminds us that Burkina Faso, like many countries in the Sahel, faces some of the most comprehensive and complex impacts of climate change, and tackling these challenges requires diverse perspectives and strong leadership. 'Women, especially those in rural communities, experience climate change differently, often facing disproportionate risks while playing a crucial role in adaptation strategies. Yet, their voices remain underrepresented in climate science, meteorology, and decision-making spaces,' says Mariam. Thanks to their resilience and knowledge, women can be the most powerful agents of change. Empowering women to lead in climate action isn't just an opportunity; it's essential for building a sustainable future. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council.
Zawya
29-01-2025
- Climate
- Zawya
World Food Programme (WFP) and Chad's meteorological agency partner to modernize weather forecasting and enhance climate response in Chad
The World Meteorological Organization's Systemic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have launched a five-year project aiming to modernise Chad's meteorological network, improve weather forecasts, and anticipate the consequences of climate events in Chad. The US$ 6.98 million project, led by WFP in collaboration with Chad's National Meteorological Agency (ANAM) with technical support from GeoSphere Austria, involves installing six new surface stations and four upper-air stations, while renovating 27 existing stations across the country. The project prioritizes national capacity-building to enhance synergies between development programmes and maximize the SOFF project's impact. 'Strengthening ANAM's capacities through the SOFF project aligns perfectly with the government's vision and policies, providing users with high-quality forecasts to anticipate climate extremes and mitigate disaster risks affecting populations and natural resources' said Fatima Goukouni Weddeye, Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation, and National Meteorology. Upgraded meteorological infrastructure will improve the anticipation and management of climate extremes like droughts and floods, while strengthening national capacities through sustainable data management. "Collaborating along the meteorological value chain is key to leveraging weather and climate data' said Markus Repnik, Director of the SOFF Secretariat. 'Closing Chad's data gap significantly improves weather and climate forecasts for Chad, Africa, and the world, as forecasts beyond three days require global data, including from Chad. SOFF's investments support Chad's objectives of increasing climate resilience, protecting communities, and the agricultural sector' Sarah Gordon-Gibson, WFP's Country Director and Representative in Chad, noted, 'The people of Chad are among the hardest hit by the current climate crisis and face some of the highest levels of food insecurity globally. Reliable meteorological data is essential to anticipate, alert, and respond to crises and their impact on people's food security'. The latest Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis indicates that over 2.4 million people in Chad will face food insecurity by 2025, potentially rising to 3.7 million during the June-August lean season. Food insecurity in Chad is primarily driven by conflicts and a decline in agricultural production, particularly due to recent floods in the south, the country's breadbasket. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).
