Elements for Life

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] 35

EATHER

CLIMATE AND

water cross all national

boundaries, and affect every aspect of life. Over the

last 150 years, scientists have been sharing their

observations and information about weather, climate, water

and the environment, and using the best available communi-

cation and scientific tools in order to produce useful weather

and climate forecasts, and other knowledge-based products

and services. Monitoring and predicting our weather and

climate and how they affect the Earth’s environment and society

requires international cooperation. However, in developing

countries, limited resources and lack of human capacity

prevent them from producing and applying information for

the benefit of their own communities, as well inhibiting the

dissemination of data to other centres.

The World Meteorological Organization recognized this

problem, and set up the Voluntary Cooperation Programme

(VCP).

The aim is to link the needs of National

Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) of devel-

oping countries with the technical ability and funding

available in developed countries. The VCP provides a mech-

anism through which the NMHS of developing countries can

request assistance in terms of equipment, expert services,

training and education, in order for them to be able to partic-

ipate in the programmes of WMO. These programmes cover

the role of NMHS in taking observations, communicating

them to stakeholders, archiving them for climatology studies,

and in producing forecasts and warnings for their users. There

are various types of end-user services, but first among these

is ensuring the safety and well being of their nations’ citizens.

NMHS are responsible for monitoring weather, climate and

the natural environment, and for giving public warnings and

information in a timely, reliable and comprehensive manner.

Each NMHS has links through its government to national

disaster prevention and risk management authorities. They

also have knowledge of the local environment in order to

assess potential impacts, as well as an awareness of culture

and languages, so as to be able to communicate directly to

the people, particularly at the local community level. The

forecasts and other information on weather- and climate-

related events that the NMHS provide are a vital component

in the decision making processes for many weather-sensitive

sectors.

Developing countries are often the most vulnerable to

natural disasters, because they are located in regions prone to

Technical cooperation for weather, water

and climate services in developing countries

Steve Palmer, UK Met Office

Launching a radio-sonde at Gan, Maldives after the station was

re-equipped by USA and UK VCP contributions

Photo: Met Office, UK

A forecaster in Sri Lanka finishes her weather presentation for broadcast

on the national TV company using equipment provided by UK VCP

Photo: Synergy Media Services