The RIMES region is prone to hydro-meteorological and geologic hazards which severely undermine the livelihoods of people and the overall growth trajectory of the countries. Generating accurate and actionable early warning information is heavily dependent on monitoring and observation data and provides a foundation for effectively managing and reducing disaster and climate risks.

Availability of data from dense observation networks is key to generating high-resolution forecasts. However, the Least Developed Countries (LDC) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the region, although disproportionately affected by climate impacts, have significant gaps in observation systems and lack adequate resources and appropriate institutional mechanisms to address the gaps.

RIMES assists National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in low-capacity countries to enhance data availability by establishing and upgrading observation and monitoring systems. RIMES provides expertise and support for the operation of national stations of regional importance to ensure sustained data flow that is assimilated into modeling systems for improving forecast accuracy.

Furthermore, to promote data access among agencies for robust climate prediction and effective early warning response, RIMES assists NMHSs through data platforms for reliable integration, sharing, and management. RIMES works closely with regional as well as global centers like European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), World Meteorological Centers (WMCs), and WMO Regional Meteorological Centers (RSMCs).