ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Meteorological Institute, in collaboration with international funders, has launched a 9.9 million USD Systematic Observation Financing Facility (SOFF) project. This initiative aims to upgrade 16 existing weather stations and construct 13 new ones across Ethiopia.
At the project’s inception workshop yesterday, Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa (PhD-Eng.) expressed gratitude to the World Meteorological Organization, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and Norwegian Meteorological Institute for their support.
Given Ethiopia’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture, Habtamu emphasized the critical need for robust, scientific early warning systems to mitigate climate extremes already impacting the country. “This project will serve as a foundation for climate-resilient agriculture by enhancing the quality and quantity of meteorological data,” he noted.
The minister also highlighted Ethiopia’s ongoing climate adaptation efforts, including the Green Legacy Initiative, agro-forestry, and expanded irrigation systems. The government is investing billions of Birr to strengthen environmental institutions like the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute.
The Ethiopian Meteorological Institute Director General Fetene Teshome added that limited coverage has hindered data generation in Ethiopia’s diverse climate zones. “With this project, we aim to significantly improve our station infrastructure across the regions,” he said. The total number of meteorological stations will reach 30 upon full implementation, laying groundwork for modern data collection and calibration.
UNDP Resident Representative Samuel Doe and Norwegian Meteorological Institute Director Roar Skalin commended Ethiopia’s commitment to advancing climate data systems and pledged ongoing support for the country’s climate resilience initiatives.
SOFF is a financing mechanism that supports countries to close the basic weather and climate observations data gap. By providing long-term financial and technical assistance, SOFF contributes towards a global public good.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2024
