Lessons learned and next steps
on the identification of ‘at-risk’ areas and populations as well as a functioning health system if climate information is to play a role in improving preparedness and early response. The kind of information product needed will differ according to the level of decision making (household, district health team, national malaria control team) and the types of intervention (health message, spraying program, drug procurement) that can be made in response to it.
n Reducing climate-related risks requires multi-level stakeholder coordination and communication All the case studies demonstrate the importance of coordination and communication amongst a concerted group of multi-sectoral stakeholders working at different administrative levels. In the disaster reduction cases, coordination across national borders is vital if river basin flood risk is to be predicted in a timely manner, cross-border epidemics are to be controlled, and food insecurity is to be understood in the context of regional production and markets. Although Mozambique’s flood management provides a positive example of cross-border communication (even in times of conflict), these networks typically require further strengthening – politically, legally, institutionally, operationally, or technically – if they are to become fully effective. For example, operational flood management
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in Mozambique would clearly benefit by a shared (transboundary) monitoring system. The Mozambique case also illustrates the need for a single ‘authoritative voice’ at the national level, to ensure coherent communication with different government departments, response agencies, and at-risk populations. In both the disaster risk reduction and agricultural development cases, coordination and communication at the local level are also absolutely essential if communities are to become more resilient and adept at managing climate-related risks and opportunities. In Mozambique this was clearly recognized as a shortcoming of the flood response in 2000, and as a result the country has launched a new capacity building initiative geared towards building resilience at the community level. In Malawi, the pro-active role of the national- and local-level farmers’ associations in coordinating the public–private partnership to promote drought insurance has ensured local buy-in and the tailoring of the product to suit local needs.
n Climate information must be credible if it is to be used in decision making Credibility is hard to build and easy to lose. It attaches to the source of information as well as to the information itself. Note that the declaration of a famine, epidemic, or flood disaster is often highly sensitive politically, as well as implying the commitment and