RIMES - Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia

Empowering last mile users in early warning information delivery and application

admin — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 21:43:21 +0000

Empowering last mile users in early warning information delivery and application admin Sat, 07/02/2022 - 04:43

Project Status

Ongoing

Implementation Period

October 2021 - July 2022

Donor

UCAR/USAID

Keywords

community outreach, last mile communicationforecast-based action, user-engagement, disaster risk management, community outreach, last mile communication, forecast-based action,

Strengthening Last Mile Communication in South Asia Region, funded by USAID through UCAR and implemented by RIMES in select locations in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, is positioned in building climate resilience through improved access and use of early warning information among last mile users in the region.

Leveraging on customized early action plans (EAPs) and early warning services (EWS), this initiative connects an ecosystem of decision-support system (DSS) tools with the community needs in the early warning information and service value chain through the following key components:

Support national framework for customized climate services

The project seeks to enhance the overall national institutional framework that underpins DRR/DRM planning, emergency response and disaster reporting till the local level. This initiative will capacitate representatives of NMHS, NDMA, local authorities and relevant agencies including media in the pilot areas on impact-based forecasting
and risk-based warning to help them better formulate and communicate early warning information. Customization and piloting of DSS to assist with last mile response, emergency management and long-term DRR are primary focal areas during implementation.

1. Streamline climate services for DRM in the pilot areas

Support to NFCS for DRM sector
Guidance on impact-based forecasting (IBF)

2. Customize Decision Support System for Disaster Risk Management

Stocktaking of all hazard, vulnerability and risk maps and assessments as basis for IBF
Development and customization of DSS for DRM

Support establishing end-to-end, people centered multi-hazard warning

The project will bolster mechanisms for early warning and anticipatory actions in the community in the broader framework of Forecast based Action (FbA). Activities in the community will also involve familiarizing community members with DRM plans and SOPs. Furthermore, this initiative will support integration of forecast-based triggers, EAPs and damage reports in the DSS for subsequent feedback in informing policy-making.

1. Effective End-to-End,People-Centered Multi-Hazard Early Warning Services

Conducting hazard, vulnerability, capacity assessments
Installing low-cost monitoring and communication equipment
DRR planning and establishment of forecast-based EAPs
Training, public awareness campaigns, drills and exercises

2. Roadmap for End-to-End People-Centered Multi-Hazard Early Warning Services

Early warning audit and lessons sharing
Integration of refined EAPs in the DSS
Planning for DSS maintenance and scaling-up EAPs in other locations

Enhance community resilience by reducing risks from extreme natural events - Shouhardo III

admin — Tue, 31 May 2022 23:02:01 +0000

Enhance community resilience by reducing risks from extreme natural events - Shouhardo III admin Wed, 06/01/2022 - 06:02

Project Status

Ongoing

Implementation Period

July 2019 - September 2021

Donor

USAID

Countries

Bangladesh

Pillar

Capacity Building, Research & Development

Featured

Community Outreach & Feedback

Societal Application

Strengthening Household Ability to Respond to Development Opportunities (SHOUHARDO) III program of CARE Bangladesh works with poor rural beneficiaries from 8 districts of the Char and Haor regions of Bangladesh. The locals are highly dependent on agriculture and livestock for their livelihood. However, these communities are the most vulnerable against recurring natural disasters and impacts of climate risk.

To overcome the underlying risks of climate variability and furnish better agricultural/livestock production and disaster risk reduction, RIMES has implemented the project, Improved Weather and Flood Information System for Community Based Risk and Resource Management under SHOUHARDO III program of CARE Bangladesh, supported by USAID and with complementary support from the Government of Bangladesh.

Program Objectives and Accomplishments

The project aims to enhance community resilience by reducing risks from extreme natural events and maximize benefits from favorable weather conditions using impact-based forecasts of different timescales through adaptive techniques for better decision making in community-based risk and resource management.

1. Improve Medium-Longer Range (10-15 days) Flood Forecasting Technology of FFWC

15 days streamflow forecasting model has been integrated into the operational flood forecasting system of FFWC
10 days probabilistic water level forecasting system has been integrated into the operational flood forecasting system of FFWC
Forecast performance has been analyzed and published in FFWC’s annual report of 2019 and 2020
2 trainings have been conducted where in total 12 BWDB professionals have been trained on the system

2. Customize location specific weather forecast at BMD up to Upazila level

Upazila specific weather forecast for 211 upazilas integrated into BMD website
2 trainings have been conducted where total 16 BMD professionals have been trained on the system

3. Pilot forecast based warning/advisory services through DDM, DAE, DLS in selected SHOUHARDO III program Upazilas

A web-based DMC database developed: DMC database populated with data from 23 upazilas under SHOUHARDO III program
Voice message broadcasting tool developed: more than 50,000 recipients
received early warning/advisories through voice message
6 trainings conducted for DDM, DAE, DLS professionals
National Livestock Advisory Services (NLAS) developed followed by 2 National level consultation workshops were arranged for DSS development
2 evaluations conducted of community response to advisories

4. Enhance capacity of National and local level stakeholders in forecast application, risk and resource management

Training guide on Forecast Application and Risk Management developed
179 Farmers, women groups from all 13 upazilas trained on forecast application and risk management
42 LSPs, private sector agents and small entrepreneurs trained in forecast application and risk management
2 batch of school children participated in the awareness raising workshop

Location specific Upazila-level forecast available at BMD website

Program Area

SHOUHARDO III Program works in 115 unions in 23 upazilas of 8 char and haor districts. For piloting the interventions under this project, project sites were selected jointly by CARE Bangladesh and RIMES. The project site included 15 Unions of 13 Upazilas under the 8 SHOUHARDO III Districts - Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Sirajganj, Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Habiganj and Sunamganj

SUFAL II Supporting flood forecast action and learning in Bangladesh-Phase II

admin — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 09:11:50 +0000

SUFAL II Supporting flood forecast action and learning in Bangladesh-Phase II admin Thu, 02/10/2022 - 16:11

Project Status

Ongoing

Implementation Period

July 2021 - February 2023

Donor

Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

Countries

Bangladesh

Pillar

Community Outreach & Feedback

Featured

Community Outreach & Feedback

Pilot demonstrations on End-to-End Early Warning Systems

Bangladesh is one of the most flood-prone countries in the world. Around 25 to 30 percent of the land area is inundated during a normal monsoon period incurring losses equivalent to 1.5% of GDP or $2.2 billion on average per year (ADB 2016).

Forecast-based Action approach adopted by SUFAL

Supporting Flood Forecast-based Action and Learning in Bangladesh (SUFAL) was implemented in a consortium led by CARE, with Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief and technical partner: Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Asia (RIMES); and was funded by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

SUFAL project focuses on reducing the vulnerability of flood-prone populations in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin by strengthening impact-based forecasting and early warning to trigger early actions and funding prior to flood events. The aim is to reduce the impact of floods on communities, improve effectiveness of emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts, and reduce the humanitarian burden.

Flood Forecasting Warning Committee (FFWC) had introduced a 15-day flood outlook in the 2020 monsoon, with support of USAID-funded SHOUHARDO through CARE-RIMES, which was utilized by the SUFAL project. RIMES was responsible for providing technical support to FFWC in customizing EWMs through developing Upazila-level vulnerability maps, installing gauges, and developing Digital Elevation Model (DEM).

Promoting Forecast-based Early Action through SUFAL II

Building on the outcomes of phase I, SUFAL II is envisioned around the broader objective of strengthening the capacity of government and communities to take early action. SUFAL-II continues to support GOB in developing a community-based approach to Forecast-based Action (FbA), by highlighting risks and specific needs of most vulnerable households and communities and linking them to available institutional resources and services. The initiative will further enhance its support for institutions to better assist the most vulnerable communities ahead of anticipated floods.

Enhancing weather and climate resilience in RIMES member States through capacity building on impact forecasting - Phase II

admin — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 08:07:25 +0000

Enhancing weather and climate resilience in RIMES member States through capacity building on impact forecasting - Phase II admin Sun, 01/16/2022 - 15:07

Effective early warning systems necessitate translation of hazard forecasts into sector and location-specific risk and impact information which can be integrated into decision-making processes for informed anticipatory actions.

Early warning is a key element in building resilience to weather- and climate-related risks. In order to galvanize Forecast-based Actions (FbA) in the communities, National Hydrological and Meteorological Services (NMHSs) need to develop capacities along the entire service delivery chain for generating targeted impact-based forecasting and timely dissemination of accurate, understandable and customized information.

Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (United Nations, 2015), WMO Guidelines on Multi-hazard Impact-based Forecast and Warning Services (2015, WMO-No 1150) as well as the Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems: A Checklist (2018), highlight the significance of integrating risk and impact information in early warning systems by utilizing the advances in information and communication technologies and Earth observations.

RIMES implemented Enhancing weather and climate resilience in RIMES member States through capacity building on impact forecasting- Phase I, from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018, aimed at building resilience to weather- and climate-related hazards by building capacity on impact forecasting in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka in the Asian region, and Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa in the Pacific region.

Enhancing capacities for impact-based forecasting and its application through Phase II

Building on the gains of Phase I, Phase II of the project shall focus in the following areas of interventions

Training of weather and climate information users on potential impact assessment, risk analysis, and application of outputs in planning and decision-making for resource and risk management in agriculture and disaster management sectors
Technical support in conducting seasonal forums, subregional dialogues and facilitating potential impact assessments to inform seasonal planning
Expansion of decision support system to aid potential impact and risk analyses in the agriculture sector
Capacity building of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to enable them to respond to user demands from climate-sensitive and disaster management sectors
Support NMHS and ministry participation in RIMES 4th Ministerial Conference for experience and knowledge sharing

Aligned with the Strategic Note 2021-2024 of the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness, these interventions serve to strengthen people-centered, multi-hazard early warning systems.

Furthermore, to address the countries' needs from additional sectors beyond the scope of this program, such as tourism and energy, in conjunction with the RIMES Master Plan and WMO-RIMES Joint Strategy & Action Plan formulated as per recommendation of the Member States, RIMES will adopt a flexible framework to meet these emerging needs and demands, and to expand similar programs to other countries in the long term.

Reducing risks of tsunami, storm surges, large waves, and other natural hazards in low elevation coastal zones

admin — Fri, 12 May 2017 11:30:18 +0000

Reducing risks of tsunami, storm surges, large waves, and other natural hazards in low elevation coastal zones admin Fri, 05/12/2017 - 18:30

About 3% of Asia’s land area is classified as a low elevation coastal zone, yet it is home to 13% of the region’s population and 18% of its urban population. Of the top 10 countries in the world with the largest population counts in low elevation coastal zones, eight are in Asia. Reducing risks through preparedness and mitigation is paramount, as migration away from these zones, though may be the most appropriate prevention measure, is not popular or acceptable. The project aims to reduce tsunami, storm surges, large waves, and other hazard risks in low-elevation coastal zones by strengthening institutional systems for end-to-end warning and building institutional capacities for the application of warning information products in decision-making.

Objectives:

Strength institutional systems for end-to-end warning
Build institutional capacities for the application of warning information products in decision-making

Activities:

Strengthening institutional systems for end-to-end warning
Connecting pilot communities to a national early warning system for 24/7 readiness
Capacity building for the application of warning information products
Capacity building for the generation of location-specific warning information products
Regional sharing of experience, practice, lessons, and successes

Expected Outcomes and Performance Measures:

Monsoon Forum Reports

Regular multi-stakeholder national forums gather information and assess disaster risk management and emergency preparedness capacities in participating countries, and assist them in planning at national to local levels to reduce risks, through the development of a basic set of standard operating procedures between the NMHSs, other stakeholders, and communities at risk.
» A multi-stakeholder early warning national forum established in each target country

» Number of multi-stakeholder national forums organized, with the participation of and recommendations from local institutions and authorities, NGOs and representatives from select at-risk communities

» Number of visits made in each select community, and wider user feedback received
Bangladesh
Bangladesh-3th Monsoon Forum Bangladesh-4th Monsoon Forum Bangladesh-5th Monsoon Forum Maldives
Maldives-First Monsoon Forum Myanmar
Myanmar-7th Monsoon Forum Myanmar-8th Monsoon Forum Myanmar-9th Monsoon Forum Myanmar-10th Monsoon Forum Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka-4th Monsoon Forum Sri Lanka-5th Monsoon Forum Sri Lanka-6th Monsoon Forum Sri Lanka-7th Monsoon Forum
Selected communities at-risk are connected to the warning system, with institutional capacity to receive and disseminate warnings 24/7 through effective communication pathways and to respond to emergencies.
» Number of warning points connected to the early warning system at sub-national and national levels

» Number of EOC volunteers trained in emergency operations

» Number of communication pathways for receiving and disseminating warnings established at each EOC, and tested
Selected communities at-risk use location-specific warning information products.
» Number of sub-national and local working groups established

» Number of local working groups trained in impact, vulnerability, capacity and user need assessments

» Number of demonstration locations with risk profiles prepared

» Thresholds for various hazard magnitudes and intensities in sites identified

» Warning information needs in communities identified

» Number of disaster managers trained in preparing impact outlooks and response options based on localized disaster risk information

Report: Forecast Translation Training-Bangladesh

Report: Forecast Translation Training-Maldives

Report: Forecast Translation Training-Myanmar

Report: Forecast Translation Training-Sri Lanka

» Number of communities demonstrated to improve response to warning/ disaster risk information issued by NMHSs

» Warning system gaps identified in locations
Generation of location-specific warning information products, through the established WMO infrastructure including the RSMCs, with support from trained government institutions and local disaster management organizations.
» Most relevant NWP techniques and products identified and analyzed for further cascading forecasting process

» Data and products assessed as inputs for downscaling and documented

» Uncertainties in forecasting products evaluated and documented for local application

» Downscaled high-resolution disaster risk information generated and used by disaster management institutions in assessing potential impacts and possible response options

» NMHS scientists from each target country demonstrate ability to produce tailored location-specific disaster risk information
Countries in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia, which are not targeted by the project, learning from project experience, lessons and successes, express interest to replicate methods and tools.
» Number of countries that participate each year, and share which tool, method, practice, etc. may be replicated

» Number of country reports shared with ICG/IOTWS

» Number of institutions informed of project progress, experiences and lessons

External Connections:

The project is implemented together with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). It builds on ongoing efforts in the target countries, such as by UNESCO/IOC on developing tsunami standard operating procedures in Myanmar, and UNDP on the establishment of Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and last-mile preparedness in small island communities in the Maldives.

Project Partners/Beneficiaries:

Bangladesh
» Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD)
India
» India Meteorological Department (IMD)
Maldives
» Maldives Department of Meteorology (DoM)
Myanmar
» Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH)
Sri Lanka
» Sri Lanka Department of Meteorology (DoM)

» Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre of Sri Lanka (DMC)
Thailand
» Thai Meteorological Department (TMD)

» Thailand’s National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC)

Information Resources:

Poster Photo Gallery e-Newsletter (Issue 1: October 2013) Video about Monsoon Forum

Climate Impact Expert – Disaster Risk Management – Nepal

Sudarat — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:39:43 +0000

Climate Impact Expert – Disaster Risk Management – Nepal Sudarat Wed, 11/22/2023 - 23:39

Reference No

TH-RIMES-381229-CS-INDV

Method

Individual Consultant Selection

Type

Individual Consultant

URL

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zM3PXdXENodwrfYduLJh66oUSo8P1hY7/view?usp=driv…

From Posted

Wed, 11/22/2023 - 12:00

To Posted

Tue, 12/05/2023 - 12:00

Country

Nepal

Administrative Assistant, Regional

Sudarat — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 11:26:12 +0000

Administrative Assistant, Regional Sudarat Tue, 11/21/2023 - 18:26

Reference No

TH-RIMES-392749-CS-INDV

Method

Individual Consultant Selection

Type

Individual Consultant

URL

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VAknv4sVqzQ5Pwsscjk5y_MXyvMtTSqA/view?usp=shar…

From Posted

Tue, 11/21/2023 - 12:00

To Posted

Mon, 12/04/2023 - 12:00

Country

Regional

Climate Impact Expert – Transport – Nepal

Sudarat — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 11:13:21 +0000

Climate Impact Expert – Transport – Nepal Sudarat Tue, 11/21/2023 - 18:13

Reference No

TH-RIMES-381230-CS-INDV

Method

Individual Consultant Selection

Type

Individual Consultant

URL

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1spL1TFEEMa7xaNBkB9HRDzigS-2j6pWG/view?usp=shar…

From Posted

Tue, 11/21/2023 - 12:00

To Posted

Mon, 12/04/2023 - 12:00

Country

Nepal

Notification of Intention to Award-Full Stack Developer-Agriculture DSS-Nepal

Sudarat — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 08:05:53 +0000

Notification of Intention to Award-Full Stack Developer-Agriculture DSS-Nepal Sudarat Tue, 11/21/2023 - 15:05

Reference No

TH-RIMES-353845-CS-INDV

Method

Individual Consultant Selection

Type

Individual Consultant

URL

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dk_R2fhay-LWkwxp5IqdC3Pt3QKnFMjJ/view?usp=shar…

From Posted

Mon, 11/20/2023 - 12:00

To Posted

Thu, 11/30/2023 - 12:00

Country

Nepal

Mobile Application Developer - Pakistan

Sudarat — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 17:59:39 +0000

Mobile Application Developer - Pakistan Sudarat Mon, 11/20/2023 - 00:59

Reference No

TH-RIMES-378735-CS-INDV

Method

Individual Consultant Selection

Type

Individual Consultant

URL

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c702scSBa3et6hHHNU28T-sEid7aJ5iy/view?usp=shar…

From Posted

Mon, 11/20/2023 - 12:00

To Posted

Sun, 12/03/2023 - 12:00

Country

Pakistan

RIMES - Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia

Empowering last mile users in early warning information delivery and application

Project Status

Implementation Period

Donor

Countries

Pillar

Featured

Keywords

Support national framework for customized climate services

Support establishing end-to-end, people centered multi-hazard warning

Enhance community resilience by reducing risks from extreme natural events - Shouhardo III

Project Status

Implementation Period

Donor

Countries

Pillar

Featured

Program Objectives and Accomplishments

Program Area

SUFAL II Supporting flood forecast action and learning in Bangladesh-Phase II

Project Status

Implementation Period

Donor

Countries

Pillar

Featured

Promoting Forecast-based Early Action through SUFAL II

Enhancing weather and climate resilience in RIMES member States through capacity building on impact forecasting - Phase II

Project Status

Implementation Period

Donor

Project Area

Countries

Pillar

Featured

Effective early warning systems necessitate translation of hazard forecasts into sector and location-specific risk and impact information which can be integrated into decision-making processes for informed anticipatory actions.

Enhancing capacities for impact-based forecasting and its application through Phase II

Reducing risks of tsunami, storm surges, large waves, and other natural hazards in low elevation coastal zones

Project Status

Implementation Period

Donor

Featured

Objectives:

Activities:

Expected Outcomes and Performance Measures:

Monsoon Forum Reports

External Connections:

Project Partners/Beneficiaries:

Information Resources:

Climate Impact Expert – Disaster Risk Management – Nepal

Reference No

Method

Type

URL

From Posted

To Posted

Country

Administrative Assistant, Regional

Reference No

Method

Type

URL

From Posted

To Posted

Country

Climate Impact Expert – Transport – Nepal

Reference No

Method

Type

URL

From Posted

To Posted

Country

Notification of Intention to Award-Full Stack Developer-Agriculture DSS-Nepal

Reference No

Method

Type

URL

From Posted