[Pak-Media] PRESS RELEASE: WFP SUPPORTS PAKISTAN METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT FOR EFFECTIVE EARLY WARNING

Dear Media Colleagues,

For your information and kind action. Should you have any query, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Amjad

WFP News Release

5 August 2011

WFP SUPPORTS PAKISTAN METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT FOR EFFECTIVE EARLY WARNING

Islamabad – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) have today launched a joint initiative designed to improve the country's natural disaster early warning system.

WFP Pakistan Acting Country Director Mageed Yahia and Director General PMD Arif Mahmood signed a Letter of Agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. The event was also attended by senior officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), WFP, and PMD.

The Letter of Agreement defines the joint efforts of WFP and PMD to establish a system to improve the dissemination of relevant and useful information for farmers and others threatened by weather-related shocks and other natural disasters.

"Pakistan has faced over 150 major natural disasters in the last 65 years, primarily caused by floods, earthquakes, cyclones and drought," said Mageed. "In this scenario, it is imperative that we have an early warning system of the highest possible calibre. Early warnings save lives and protect livelihoods."

Under the collaboration, media awareness workshops will be conducted on early warning best practice and the strengthening early warning messages through radio programming. WFP will also work with PMD to expand the existing Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) to Tharparkar and DI Khan for better validation of community-based early warning, and to strengthen the weather data retrieval system by providing GPRS sets through which the 40+ automatic weather systems installed throughout the country would become more efficient and cost effective in terms of retrieving weather information and correctly and swiftly transmitting it to Met dept headquarters for onward dissemination to provinces and districts.

The project will be jointly implemented by WFP and PMD, with PMD's Islamabad office taking a lead role in implementation. The Letter of Agreement will remain in force until 31 December 2011.

"The system exists in order to get out timely and authoritative warnings. WFP is committed to improving early warnings wherever possible, and providing all necessary support to PMD and we are open to support new initiatives in future." Mageed Yahia said.

There has been some progress in forecasting cyclones and floods in Pakistan in recent years, while mitigation activities are underway to avert devastation as a result of earthquakes. Drought analysis and monitoring has been carried out on regular basis since 2002, and fortnightly advisories are available to guide short-term interventions in the farming sector.

However, an analysis of the early warning best practices globally has shown that the benefits of scientific advances cannot be fully realised without the effective and timely dissemination of information and warnings. The involvement of the media is also essential in ensuring the optimal effectiveness of early warning systems.

# # #

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.

In 2011, WFP aims to feed more than 90 million people in 73 countries.

For more information please contact (email address:
firstname.lastname@wfp.org):

Amjad Jamal, WFP/Pakistan. Cell. +92 300 8500989

__________________________________________
Amjad Jamal
Public Information Unit
WFP Country Office
Plot # 1, Diplomatic Enclave, G-5
Islamabad - Pakistan
Tel: 92-51-8312000, Ext: 2270
Direct: 92-51-8312270
Fax: 92-51-8438252
Mobile: 92-300-8500989
VSAT: 1319-2270 (WFP INTERNAL)
Email: amjad.jamal@wfp.org
Web: www.wfp.org

The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments is intended for specific individuals or entities, and may be confidential, proprietary or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately, delete this message and do not disclose, distribute or copy it to any third party or otherwise use this message. The content of this message does not necessarily reflect the official position of the World Food Programme. Electronic messages are not secure or error free and may contain viruses or may be delayed, and the sender is not liable for any of these occurrences. The sender reserves the right to monitor, record and retain electronic messages

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