Niger: Multi-Hazard Approach to Early Warning Systems, with a Focus on Flood Risk Management

Context and Objectives 

This project supported the Government of Niger’s action plan for information management and Early Warning Systems (EWS). The project objective was to improve management of risk knowledge and to develop operational procedures for early warning systems.

Main activities and results

Development of operational procedures for early warning and response:

• Define DRR National Platform members’ roles and responsibilities vis-à-vis risk analysis, monitoring, early warning, dissemination, response and feedback; 
• Develop an action plan for strengthening national capacities for information management, analysis and sharing, early warning and response

Technical development of information sharing and the early warning systems:

• Develop of a shared information system for data sharing among key technical services; 
• Manage information on hazard, exposure and vulnerability developed by the Government with support from partners; 
• Develop an emergency response decision support tool, with due consideration for contingency and emergency response resources; and
• Work with partners to develop a roadmap for the development of community early warning systems.

The project worked on developing a public information tool for data sharing with synchronization capacities among key technical services, including the Prime Minister’s office, meteorological, hydrological, food security, humanitarian and civil protection services. The instrument addresses the management of information on hazard, exposure and vulnerability, as well as the development of an emergency response decision support tool. 

The EWS platform (http://risques-niger.org) was presented in May 2017 to several Ministry bodies and national institutions. It was concluded that:

• the sharing of data between national institutions through the EWS had started (and provided a good basis for the related CREWS Initiative project in Niger);
• a clarification of the roles of General Directorate for Civil Protection in Niger and other national bodies with regards to the EWS has been achieved. A  final report was completed in June 2017, providing detailed information about progress to date and recommendations for follow-up.

Partnerships and Coordination

This project was coordinated with EU, UNDP and UNISDR. The EU Delegation contributed to the identification of project’s activities and was associated during the implementation, together with UNDP and UNISDR.
In addition, various Government Departments (hydrology, meteorology, civil protection, humanitarian response, food security, social protection, urban development, geographic institute, etc.), WFP and FAO were partners in the project.

Useful links

The early warning system platform is accessible at: http://risques-niger.org