According to reports, in 2012 an estimated 37.3 million Africans were negatively affected by hydro meteorological hazards, which is a 43.3 per cent increase in annual average over the last decade.
(WATCH VIDEO: African climatic change threatening food security)
The African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET), which is a forum made up of various African Ministers who focus on meteorological issues, has stated that they will be intensifying efforts to integrate weather and climate services in national and regional development frameworks.
This initiative aims to improve the livelihoods of African communities through innovative adaptation measures that will build the resilience of communities to cope with the adverse effects of climate change.
“Every African country should be involved in the transformative development of the continent”, said Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, the African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture.
(WATCH VIDEO: Maize yields to drop by a third in 2050 due t climate change: UN)
AMCOMET will therefore host a “Task Force and Bureau Meeting” from the 26 to 30 May 2014 in Zimbabwe. Members of the meeting will be tasked with refining the draft of the Implementation Plan of the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology for the 2014 to 2018 period.
The Ministers will also discuss investment plans to build climate related disaster resilience as well as the development of a Pan-African Space Policy.
(WATCH VIDEO: Global climate change and Africa with Kurt Lonsway)
“This landmark strategy is designed to maximize the contribution of meteorological services to sustainable development by gearing the necessary resources and recognition from governments,” said Saviour Kasukuwere, chair of AMCOMET and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Water and Climate.