EWS-F in Central America and the Caribbean - Initial Planning Meeting
WMO and the United States Agency for International Development/Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) are working on a project targeted towards strengthening Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) in Central America and the Caribbean countries. The project titled ‘Early Warning Systems for Floods in Central America and the Caribbean (EWS-F CA&C)’, aligns with the UN EW4All initiative and will be focused on the priority countries in WMO Regional Association for North and Central America and the Caribbean (RA IV), namely, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guatemala, and Haiti.
To prepare for the implementation of the EWS-F CA&C project, an initial regional planning meeting was held to consolidate the Concept Note of the project in Central America and Caribbean region. It included revising the approach to improve early warnings for floods based on country needs and identifying priority activities for its implementation. It also included presentations of the project, the country priorities, and discussions on the overall objectives, tentative activities, support needed from the stakeholders (especially NMHSs), etc.
Representatives from the four participating countries, including from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, National Disaster Management Agencies, and sectoral stakeholders, got together with regional agencies and WMO to participate in this important event where countries commitment was consolidated for active participation in the implementation of EWS-F CA&C and their country implementation plans were further refined.
The report of the meeting will be available here.
Presentations
DAY 1:
- Introduction
- Country presentations: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guatemala, and Haiti
- Regional presentations: CIMH, CRRH, IDB
- Flash Flood Guidance System in Guatemala
Agenda
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Day 1 Monday, 3 June 2024 |
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Local Time (UTC-6) |
Item |
Facilitator/presenter |
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08:30 – 09:00 |
Registrations |
INSIVUMEH |
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09:00 – 09:30 |
Welcome & Opening remarks
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WMO, USAID & INSIVUMEH |
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09:30 – 09:45 |
Participant introduction |
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09:45 – 09:50 |
- Adoption of agenda - Objectives and expected outcomes of the Initial Planning Meeting EWS-Fj |
Dr Tania Gascon, WMO |
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09:50 – 10:15 |
EWS-F in the context of EW4All initiative |
Ms Barbara Tapia, WMO |
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10:15 – 10:35 |
Group photo + Coffee break |
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Introduction to EWS-F project: Objectives, Outcomes, Progress and Next steps + Q&A |
Dr Tania Gascon, WMO |
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11:00 – 12:15 |
Country Presentations on way forward for identified priorities to improve flood warning services + Q/A |
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Antigua and Barbuda |
Country representative |
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Barbados |
Country representative |
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Guatemala |
Country representative |
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Haiti |
Country representative |
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12:15 – 12:30 |
Summary of countries needs and challenges |
Ms Barbara Tapia, WMO |
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12:30 – 14:00 |
Lunch break |
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14:00 – 15:00 |
Regional support: lessons learned on supporting countries in improving flood and drought warning services |
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CIMH |
Mr Shawn Boyce, Chief Hydrologist |
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CRRH |
Mr Max Campos, Executive Secretary |
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Q&A |
WMO |
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15:00 – 15:30 |
Cooperation opportunities in the participating countries of EWS-F CA&C |
Mr Nelson Estrada, IDB |
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15:30 – 15:45 |
Coffee break |
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15:45 – 16:45 |
Discussion session: Synergies between projects initiatives supporting flood warning services in CA&C countries |
WMO |
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16:45 – 17:15 |
Update on FFGS in Guatemala and Haiti |
INSIVUMEH & UHM |
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17:15 – 17:20 |
Closing of Day 1 |
Dr Hwirin Kim, WMO |
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Day 2 Tuesday, 4 June 2024 |
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Local Time (UTC-6) |
Item |
Facilitator |
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09:00 – 09:30 |
Recap of Day 1 + Modalities of breakout sessions |
Dr Tania Gascon, WMO |
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09:30 – 10:15 |
Breakout Session-1: The needs of targeted Members |
WMO |
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10:15 – 10:30 |
Coffee break |
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10:30 – 11:00 |
Continuation of Breakout Session-1: |
WMO |
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11:00 – 12:30 |
Breakout Session-2: Technical solutions to strengthen End-to-End Early Warning Systems for Floods |
WMO |
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12:30 – 14:00 |
Lunch break |
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14:00 – 15:30 |
Breakout Session-3: Advanced capacities to provide impact-based forecast and warning products for floods |
WMO |
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15:30 – 15:45 |
Coffee break |
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15:45 – 17:00 |
Breakout Session-4: Increased visibility, recognition and sustainability of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services
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WMO |
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17:00 – 17:30 |
Closing of Day 2 |
WMO |
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Day 3 Wednesday, 5 June 2024 |
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Local Time (UTC-6) |
Item |
Facilitator |
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09:00 – 09:15 |
Recap of Day 2 |
Dr Federico Gomez, WMO |
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09:15 – 10:15 |
Adoption of the EWS-F CA&C concept note and next steps |
WMO |
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10:15 – 10:30 |
Coffee break |
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10:30 – 11:30 |
Continuation of: Adoption of the EWS-F CA&C concept note and next steps |
WMO |
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11:30 – 12:30 |
Structure of the Regional Project Steering Committee (RPSC) of EWS-F CA&C |
WMO |
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12:30 – 14:00 |
Lunch break |
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14:00 – 15:15 |
1st Meeting of the RPSC of EWS-F CA&C
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WMO |
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15:15 – 15:30 |
Coffee break |
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15:30 – 16:00 |
Continuation of: 1st Meeting of the RPSC of EWS-F CA&C |
WMO |
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16:00 – 16:30 |
Closing remarks |
WMO, USAID, INSIVUMEH |