The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) has taken a significant step forward in enhancing its member states’ disaster preparedness and response capabilities. Today, the Center announced receiving support from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for implementing a groundbreaking project titled “Strengthening Early Warning Systems for Anticipatory Actions.” This initiative, which is a collaborative effort among leading weather and climate research institutions, a university, and a humanitarian organisation, aims to utilise machine learning to improve early warning information systems.

The funding from WFP will also benefit the Kenya Meteorological Department and the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute, assisting in enhancing their national and sub-national forecasts. By improving the quality of early warning information available to communities in disaster-prone areas, the project seeks to enable proactive responses to critical alerts.

Given the heightened risk of natural hazard-induced disasters due to climate change, the importance of timely and accurate early warning systems cannot be overstated. Supported by Google.org, this project aims to address this pressing need by leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches. Through the application of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics, the project has the potential to significantly improve the accuracy and timeliness of disaster alerts, empowering communities to take proactive measures to protect lives and livelihoods.

Dr Guleid Artan, ICPAC’s Director, expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting the combination of expertise in weather forecasting, disaster risk reduction, and technological capabilities. He stated, “With partners such as Google, the University of Oxford, the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute, the Kenya Meteorological Department, and the World Food Programme, the project aims to revolutionise early warning systems in the IGAD region and enable communities to prepare and act preemptively against impending hazards.”

Initially, the project will focus on pilot implementations in Ethiopia and Kenya, with insights gained informing the expansion of initiatives across the region. Ultimately, the objective is to ensure that vulnerable communities throughout the IGAD region have access to life-saving early warning information and can take timely action in the face of impending disasters.