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of the vector and the development of the parasite, resulting
in very high incidences of malaria even in low prevalence
areas. High temperatures (above 30 degrees Celsius) and low
humidity would greatly reduce the lifespan of the anopheline
mosquito, resulting in a lower incidence of malaria. Low
temperatures (below 18 degrees Celsius) would reduce the
development of the protozoan parasite in the mosquito,
resulting in low transmission of malaria and low incidence
of the disease.
Studies and experiences in eastern Africa have shown that
heavy rains are strongly linked to epidemics of vector-borne
diseases such as Rift Valley Fever, malaria, yellow fever and
dengue fever.
4
The heavy rains of 1997 and 1998 in Kenya
and southern Somalia were associated with an outbreak of
Rift Valley Fever that caused 46 human deaths. The health
ministries in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi used the ICPAC
climate outlook in its decision to order more drugs and
mosquito nets to curb malaria outbreaks. Further, Kenya,
Uganda, Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi governments
used the same consensus climate outlook to initiate some
vector-borne disease management practices that also
involved clearing of drainage systems.
5
The perceived benefit of climate information to health
services is demonstrated by donor support for meteorologi-
cal stations and early warning activities at health facilities in
Eritrea and Niger. This is a clear demonstration of good prac-
tice in the use and application of climate information to
mitigate catastrophic impacts of extreme climate events. An
integrated warning system approach, combining seasonal
climate forecasts with vulnerability assessment within a
national malaria control programme, has been demonstrated
in Botswana over the past few years and is seen as an example
of best practice in the region. The African Development Bank
is currently planning to invest substantially in epidemic
malaria control in East and West Africa, where implement-
ing organizations are keen to learn from the Southern African
experience.
Disaster management
The climate information and support services are used by
decision makers in governments, the private sector and civil
society to meet priority needs in operational climate risk
management and overall social and economic development.
The climate outlook forums and users capacity-building
workshops have prompted a number of stakeholders to initi-
ate efforts towards the development of integrated
regional/national management policies.
The global centres’ products and data banks have been
used to improve climate model and prediction methods.
National atlases for sectoral risk zoning on climate stress
have been developed. Climate stress information has been
used by UN systems and donors to estimate levels of donor
assistance and operations. National platforms on disaster
risk reduction (DRR) advocating enactment of the Disaster
Management Bill 2005 are already available in most African
countries, and such initiatives will help to harmonize further
intervention strategies. Climate Watch Africa, an early
warning system of ACMAD, is an effective tool for disaster
risk reduction management. These initiatives will lead to
integrated capacity and policy implementation in climate
DRR management for improved community livelihoods and
economies in Africa.
Women and youth
The provision and application of climate early warning infor-
mation for rural women and youths is becoming increasingly
crucial for poverty reduction, disaster risk management and
sustainable development in many countries in Africa. This
awareness has been created through capacity building, educa-
tion and access to information for enhanced effectiveness in
the use of climate information. Climate information
providers are working with WMO and other partners to
address climate challenges and variability and the role of
women and youths in several countries.
Wildlife and tourism
Wildlife management and tourism are dependent on climate.
Growth in the tourism industry contributes to development
through the generation of foreign exchange, the creation of
income-earning opportunities, agricultural market expan-
sion and the development of local entrepreneurship. Extreme
climate events pose a substantial threat to the survival of
wildlife and the tourism industry.
Trade and industry
Several trade and industry activities depend on natural
resources and prevailing climate conditions. Trade in the
majority of African countries relies on agricultural goods.
Extreme climate events have often disrupted agricultural
production and activities, affecting markets, transport
systems, infrastructure and industry systems, resulting in
heavy losses. The integration of climate information into trade
development planning and industry policies would enhance
Africa’s future competitive power. For example, a weather
index insurance based on a trigger point related to rainfall
accumulation is being piloted in Ethiopia and Malawi. Such
insurance schemes can be used to overcome delays in early
responses to climate-related crises. In Malawi, index-based
insurance, designed around good rainfall records, has enabled
the private sector to lend funds to farmers for improved seed
varieties. The Ethiopian pilot project compared climatologies
from 30 weather stations to enable the private industry to
design an appropriate insurance product.
Infrastructure
In Africa, extreme weather and climate events destroy build-
ings, railways, roads and dams, impacting heavily on the
economy. It is necessary to integrate climate information into
development policy and planning for the management of
climate-related disasters to reduce this vulnerability.
Looking forward
There are potential socio-economic benefits to be derived from
recently developed climate prediction tools that are capable of
forecasting extreme climate events. These tools have sufficient
lead time to allow early warning of impending catastrophic
climate events. However, decision makers in African countries
face many challenges in understanding how to integrate climate
information into development policy and planning in the
management of limited natural resources. There is a need to
enhance national as well as local community-driven integrated
programmes for addressing climate variability with a view to
improving applications of seasonal forecasts. Education and
awareness through community participation on issues that
could affect their livelihoods is of crucial importance.