Abstract
AbstractThis paper investigates the value of weather and climate information at different timescales for decision making in the Tanzanian disaster risk reduction sector using non-monetary approaches. Interviews and surveys were conducted with institutions responsible for disaster management at national, regional and district level. A range of values were identified including: 1) making informed decisions for disaster preparedness, response, recovery and restoration related activities; 2) tailoring of directives and actions based on sectoral impacts; 3) identification of hotspot areas for diseases outbreaks and surplus food production. However, while, a number of guidelines, policies, acts and regulations for disaster risk reduction exist it is not clear how well they promote the use of weather and climate information across climate sensitive sectors. Nonetheless, we find that well-structured disaster risk reduction coordination across sectors and institutions from the national to district level exists, although there is a need for further development of integrated Early Warning Systems, and a common platform to evaluate effectiveness and usefulness of weather warnings and advisories. Key challenges to address in increasing the uptake of weather warnings and advisories include language barriers, limited dissemination to rural areas, and limited awareness of forecasts. Based on the findings of this study, we recommend further quantitative evaluation of the skill of the severe weather warnings issued by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority, and an assessment of how decisions and actions are made by recipients of the warnings in the disaster risk reduction sector at different stages in the warning, response and recovery process.
Highlights
In recent years, Tanzania has suffered from a number of weather-related disasters leading to loss of life and property and environmental destruction
Survey data show that Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) is the main source of weather and climate information within the Tanzania disaster risk reduction (DRR) sector (Fig. 2)
Both the survey and interviews indicate that other sources are used, such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET), and the World Meteorological Association (WMO), including WMO Regional Association 1 (RA1) responsible for issuing tropical cyclone warning over the southwestern Indian Ocean. ‘‘We get some information from an Agency based in La Reunion, most of the time is when there is Tropical Cyclone . . . they inform us.’’ While there are benefits to accessing range of sources, without adequate training it may lead to confusion when different sources provide conflicting forecasts
Summary
This study aims to understand the value of weather and climate information to the Tanzanian disaster risk reduction sector using nonmonetary approaches
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