WMO & WISER-EWSA workshop on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)

The CAP Training and Implementation Workshop for Southern African countries, co-organized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as part of the WISER-EWSA project, aims to strengthen early warning systems in Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. The workshop focuses on integrating the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)—a standardized XML format for public alerts—into standard warning processes.

Approximately 40 forecasters were trained in CAP, with an emphasis on embedding these protocols into Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the timely and effective dissemination of warnings, particularly to vulnerable communities. The workshop also highlighted the importance of building a regional network and a community of practice through "train-the-trainer" programs, further advancing disaster risk reduction efforts and aligning with the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative. This initiative is a crucial step toward building inclusive early warning systems, protecting lives, livelihoods, and ensuring that no community is left behind in Southern Africa.