EPA,MOT & UNDP Holds Three Days Workshop on The Early Warning System
By: Philip V. Snylder IPNews-Monrovia-Liberia-17 August 2018: The Environmental Protection Agency-EPA through the National Climate Change Secretariat in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programs (UNDP) and the Ministry of Transport has began a three days national Stakeholders’ workshop on the Benefits & Sustainability of the Early Warning System. The three-day event which brings together over 75 participants representing various stakeholders from Montserrado, River Cess, Grand Bassa and Margibi counties respectively. In a power-point presentation, Mr. Jeremiah G. Sonkan, NCSS National Coordinator, stressed the need to improve the country’s hydro-meteorological services, and its associated networks aimed at observing, and predicating risky weather related to hazards and climate trends. The training, according to the EPA, is intended to increase awareness in the government and private sectors as well as local communities of the major risks, and negative effects associated with climate change. Speaking at the workshop Mr. Sonkan said that EWS can be used for natural geographical and biological hazard, while mentioning the complex socio-political emergencies, and personal health as major risks to climate change. The awareness workshop as it is being called, which is being held with national stakeholders on the benefits and sustainability of EWS, kicked off in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, under the theme, “Taking Climate Information to the End-users.” It will also enlighten participants about how to properly disseminate useful information for the formulation of policies, and strategies to tackle climate change. The Deputy Executive Director of the EPA, Mr. Randall Dubayou told participants to use the information as a source to create awareness on the EWS across the country. The Early Warning System is set-up in collaboration with authorities of MoT through the National Climate Change Secretariat of the EPA with assistance from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Training is geared towards providing basic information on the benefits and sustainability of the system. Mr. Sonkon said the EWS is setup and geared towards avoiding or reducing the negative hazardous impact of climate change such as floods, landslides and forest fires. He said the effectiveness of EWS rests on the active involvement of local community dwellers. Mr. Dubayou said the EWS awareness and training is important, because it is better to understand what will happen in the near future, giving reference to the recent flood that over took the city.
