1. The Importance of Weather/Climate
information for Disaster Risk
Management
By
Almaz Demessie
Senior Agro Meteorologist
Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector
3 – 4 June 2013

2. OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION
•Introduction
•Disaster Risk Management
•Role of EW in risk management
•Sources of data for EWS
•Gaps in EWS
•Conclusion

3. Introduction
The previous approach for emergency response
 The traditional response to a shock in Ethiopia has been for
the humanitarian emergency system to provide support for
transitory needs. Broadly speaking the process for this is as
follows:
 This response has historically been effective at saving lives which
is the prime concern of a humanitarian response. However it has
been less effective at saving livelihoods.

4. DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT (THE NEW
DIRECTIONS OF DRMFSS)
4
Pre-Disaster
Post-Disaster
During Disaster
Disaster Risk Management Cycle

5. Role of EW in risk management
Four conditions need to be fulfilled for risk
management approach:
• Early Warning
• Contingency Plans
• Contingent Financing
• Institutions and Capacity

6. ROLE OF EW IN RISK MANAGEMENT… CONTD
EWS can be defined as the provision of timely
and effective information through identified
institutions that allow individuals/communities
at risk to take action or to reduce their risk and
prepare of effective response.

7. SOURCES OF DATA FOR EWS
The DRM approach relies heavily on the
data generated by sectors such as
 The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR);
 The National Meteorological Agency
(NMA);
 The MoARD
 other agencies and database
infrastructure

8. Gaps in EWS
 Important information could not
available as per required level for our
system (mismatching problem)
 E.g. EWRD preparing Fortnight bulletin
but there is no weather forecast in 15 days
basis, EWRD preparing Monthly bulletin in
Amharic in Ethiopian calender using
monthly forecast prepared in Julian
calendar some time the difference goes up
to 10 days.

9. Gaps in.. contd
 Timeliness problem, some time the data
posted by the request of the users
 Data and matterial quality problem
 Availability of appropriate personnel, can
be engage in other urgent mission

10. Gaps in .. contd
 The influence of previous traditional system
 Insufficient skilled man power
 Staff turnover

11. CONCLUSION
The agriculturalists and Meteorologists
should work closely in all aspect and at all
level for effective and decision support
system.

12. Thank You