United Nations Radio

The World Meteorological Organization has partnered with mobile phone service providers in Africa in an effort to improve the continents weather-monitoring network.

People affected by climate change

WMO says the partnership dubbed "Weather Info for All" was timely in the face of the growing impact of climate change. The partnership was launched a Disaster Risk reduction conference taking place in Geneva.

UN's Radio Patrick Maigua sent us this report.

According to the World Meteorological organization, Africa has less than 200 weather stations that meet WMO observation requirements, seriously limiting the availability of accurate weather data and forecast. The "Weather Info for All" initiative aims to change all this by utilizing the continents extensive mobile phone network. The initiative will deploy up to 5,000 automatic weather observation stations across Africa. National meteorological services will analyze data collected and send weather forecast messages or early warnings to farmers and other end uses via mobile phone text messaging. Michel Jarraud is WMO Director General.

"This project will allow the met service to get much more information on temperature, humidity, wind and precipitation and that will help to increase the quality of forecast. In turn this general forecast will be transformed into specialized products for farmers. Specific advice will be given to farmers regarding when to plant their seeds when to irrigate for those when irrigate when to put pesticide chemicals... it is already provided but it is not good enough because of the lack of observation so we are improving on that."

The initial deployment of the automatic weather observation stations has already begun and focuses on the area around Lake Victoria in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. WMO says the project promises to save lives and bring increased economic opportunity to millions in Africa whose livelihood is dependent on agriculture.

Patrick Maigua UN Radio Geneva.

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