The Early Warning System of São Tomé and Príncipe Protects Farmers and Fishermen

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“Information collected in real time will allow the elaboration of hydrometeorological forecasts with improved accuracy for all the districts of São Tomé and the Autonomous Region of Príncipe, enabling as well a better knowledge of the climatic trends in the country.”

João Vicente LIMAGeneral Director, Institute National of Meteorology. São Tomé and Príncipe.

Abstract

Africa’s second-smallest country, São Tomé and Príncipe lies about 250 km off the western coast of Gabon. Its 187,500 inhabitants rely primarily on fishing activities and agriculture. Climate change brings dangerous weather conditions in the country. Storm surges, torrential rains, flash floods, increasing dense fog and strong winds have created hazardous conditions for fishermen, farmers and people living in rural areas along the coast.

The National Institute of Meteorology and the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Energy aimed to develop more reliable early warning systems to monitor these increasingly severe hydrometeorological conditions. In addition, both institutions pursued the objective of guaranteeing the dissemination of tailored weather and climate bulletins, including color-coded alerts, advisories for farmers, watches and warnings for floods, drought, and extreme events.

As part of the early warning system and the regional initiative implemented in 10 countries in Africa, the project was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The contract awarded to Adasa included the supply and commissioning of synoptic weather stations (2), agrometeorological stations (14), hydrological automatic stations (12), ceilometers (2) and related control centres (3) and training of the personnel of the beneficiary institutions of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.

As a result, the early warning system has been strengthened and the response to any natural disaster is stronger in order to protect lives and property damages, while minimising negative impacts on economy and environment.

“The project has increased the coverage of the national territory from 20% to 60%, being a decisive factor to provide the country with the necessary tools to face climate change and enhance the resilience of local farming and fishing communities.”

Laurent-Mascar NGOMAHead of Unit of Environment & Sustainable Development, United Nations Development Programme.São Tomé and Príncipe

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Benefits:

• Development of hydrometeorological information collection capacities improving the coverage of meteorological and hydrological data in the country (i.e. water-based weather patterns, such as rainfall, floods and storms).

• Dissemination of meteorological and hydrological information in real time.

• Reinforcement of the capacities of national institutions related with natural risks management.

• Combination of collected data with socioeconomic and environmental information to improve São Tomé’s decision-making processes, increasing the resilience of local farming and fishing communities to climate-related shocks.

• Integration of climate information into national policies, agricultural land-use planning and disaster preparedness.

The Early Warning System of São Tomé and Príncipe Protects Farmers and Fishermen

Water & EnvironmentTechnology

adasa@adasasistemas.com - www.adasasistemas.com

Adasa is an engineering company that provides technological solutions for the management of the integral water cycle, the environment and meteorology.

Founded in 1988, Adasa is recognised by its own products and technology, which are the result of over 15 years of investment in R&D and innovation. Adasa joins water and environment expertise and highly specific technology capabilities, leading to the development of high added-value solutions to ensure a better decision-making process, increase efficiency and reduce operational risks and costs.

Adasa’s portfolio includes solutions applied to the management of water resources (water quality monitoring and hydrology) and smart operation solutions for water utilities and irrigation and rural water. Adasa also offers meteorology and air quality monitoring systems.