West Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate variability and change as it is exposed to climate shocks and stresses and has relatively low capacity to adapt. Hydrometeorological hazards, including droughts, sand and dust storms, flash floods and heavy rainfall result in loss of life and property. It is anticipated that the intensity and frequency of extreme events across the region may increase.
The project will develop capacities in line with the mandates of the following existing regional institutions:
(1) AGRHYMET (CILSS) for training, food security and Regional Climate Services (future RCC)
(2) Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) Dakar (ANACIM) for severe weather forecasting
(3) Global Information System Centre (GISC) Casablanca
(4) National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to provide support in activities that are cross cutting such as Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS), Coastal Inundation Forecasting Initiative (CIFI), Severe Weather Forecasting Programme (SWFP) and Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System (SDS-WAS)
The beneficiaries include the 19 Members of ECOWAS and PRESASS, namely, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
