Belgium invests 6.68 million euros in global warning system for extreme weather

Belgium is investing 6.68 million euros in a global warning system for extreme weather, announced Minister of Development Cooperation and Urban Policy Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) on Wednesday. Gennez shares the news during a visit to the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) in Uccle.

The visit is part of preparations for the upcoming business trip to Mozambique, a partner country of the Belgian development cooperation. Mozambique is one of the first countries where the warning system will be integrated. During Gennez's visit to the RMI, weatherman David Dehenauw explained how the global warning system will work.

Early Warnings For All (EW4All) is a United Nations (UN) initiative that aims to give people worldwide access to accurate weather forecasts and life-saving warning systems. By 2027, the system will operate based on four pillars: in addition to detecting, observing, monitoring, analyzing and predicting risks, the emphasis is on risk reduction, communication and disaster first aid. Belgium's financial contribution will go to the first pillar, the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF).

Through the SOFF, small island states and less developed countries will be able to call on countries such as Belgium for scientific knowledge and expertise. These countries can build and install weather stations through financial support and will then be able to collect data and share weather observations in the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and international databases. Worldwide input will make weather reports globally more accurate.

Gennez will travel to Mozambique from 19 to 23 June, where she will visit the RMI counterpart and the Belgian development cooperation projects. During this trip, she will officially sign the new cooperation programme.

Mozambique is one of many countries sensitive to the consequences of the climate crisis; The African country was hit in February and March by Freddy, the longest-lasting cyclone ever.

^{Satellite image of rainfall due to Cyclone Idai as it passed inland over Mozambique ©SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY RM}