A delegation of 19 specialists from Burkina Faso and Togo recently returned from a significant mission to Sweden and Italy, which took place from October 16 to 23, 2024. The initiative aimed to enhance flood forecasting and early warning systems, thereby bolstering the capacity of hydrological and meteorological services as well as disaster management institutions in both nations.
During their visit to Sweden, the delegation spent time at the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) in Norrköping from October 16 to 19. There, they gained valuable insights into producing and disseminating accurate meteorological and flood forecasts. Local leaders in Malmö presented their adaptation and resilience strategies to mitigate flood risks. A critical takeaway from this visit emphasized the importance of effective solid waste management in preventing urban flooding, as debris in waterways can significantly increase overflow risks and exacerbate the impact of flooding on communities.
Following their time in Sweden, the group traveled to Italy, where they engaged with the Civil Protection Agency in Rome from October 20 to 23. The agency shared best practices for monitoring hydrometeorological hazards and outlined the necessary operational processes for effective communication among stakeholders involved in flood warning systems. In Genoa, the delegation explored a regional Civil Protection Center to learn about the use of local data in hydrometeorological monitoring and forecasting. Their discussions in Savona with the CIMA Foundation highlighted the integration of science and technology in developing tools for monitoring, forecasting, and prompt action.
A significant conclusion drawn from the Italian segment of the trip was the necessity of establishing a robust national legal and operational framework for flood warning, preparedness, and response. This framework should clearly define roles and responsibilities at national, regional, and local levels, while promoting inter-institutional communication and coordination as essential components of effective flood risk management.
The insights gained from this mission have inspired institutions in Burkina Faso and Togo to enhance their flood warning systems and disaster risk reduction strategies. Moving forward, both countries plan to develop standard operating procedures for their national flood warning systems, integrating lessons learned from their experiences in Sweden and Italy.
This mission received technical support from SMHI, AGRHYMET, and CIMA, all committed to assisting Burkina Faso and Togo in improving their flood forecasting and warning capabilities. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) coordinated this effort as part of its technical assistance to Burkina Faso through the Hydromet project and to Togo through the CREWS project. Key national institutions involved included Burkina Faso’s National Meteorology Agency (Agence Nationale de la Météorologie – ANAM), Directorate General of Water Resources (Direction Générale des Ressources en Eau – DGRE), and Directorate General of Civil Protection (Direction Générale de la Protection Civile – DGPC), as well as Togo’s National Meteorology Agency (Agence Nationale de la Météorologie – ANAMET) and Directorate of Water Resources (Direction des Ressources en Eau – DRE).
This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of both nations to enhance their disaster preparedness and response capabilities in the face of increasing flood risks.
