STRENGTHENING CAPACITY OF DISTRICT DISASTER MANAGEMENT OFFICERS ON IMPACT-BASED AND ACTION-BASED EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS IN RWANDA

7-10 September 2026

From 7 to 10 September 2026, Rwanda Meteorology Agency, in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization through WISER ActionFirst Project, conducted a four-day Sub-National Co-Production Training on Early Warning Systems (EWS) aimed at strengthening the capacity of District Disaster Management Officers to effectively use weather and climate information to enhance preparedness, support timely action, and reduce the impacts of climate-related shocks.

The training brought together District Disaster Management Officers and other relevant stakeholders involved in disaster risk management and inclusive early warning services. It focused on strengthening collaboration between providers and users of weather and climate information to ensure forecasts and warnings translate into practical, timely, risk-informed actions at the local level.

District Disaster Management Officers play a critical role in coordinating disaster risk management, preparedness, and response activities at the district level. They facilitate coordination among district institutions, sectors, communities, and other relevant stakeholders, while also supporting public awareness of disaster risks, preparedness measures, and the appropriate actions to take when early warnings are issued. Given the importance of training in disaster preparedness and response, strengthening their capacity to interpret and use impact-based and action-based forecasts is essential for ensuring that early warning information leads to timely decisions and concrete actions.

A key focus of the training was strengthening participants' understanding of the forecast-to-action value chain, which links the generation of weather and climate information to practical measures that can reduce disaster risks. The value chain encompasses risk knowledge; monitoring and forecasting; warning communication and dissemination; and the capacity of people and institutions to take timely and appropriate action.

Participants were therefore equipped with knowledge and practical approaches for translating impact-based forecasts into actionable information that can support decision-making at the district and community levels. Ensuring that early warning information is accessible, understandable, trusted, actionable, and inclusive is critical to strengthening preparedness and reducing the potential impacts of weather- and climate-related hazards.

Through discussions and practical exercises, participants jointly identified existing needs, challenges, opportunities, and potential solutions for strengthening early warning systems at the sub-national level. Training promoted dialogue and collaboration between information providers and DDMOs to ensure that early warning services respond to the realities and needs of communities and support effective decision-making and early action.

The four-day Sub-National Co-Production Training concluded with a field visit to the Kinigi Water Pond in Musanze District and the Kazirankara water canalisation site in Nyabihu District. The field visit provided participants with an opportunity to observe and assess potential risks associated with flash floods and landslides, while connecting the knowledge gained during the training with real-world conditions at the local level.

The visit further demonstrated the importance of translating impact-based forecasts into timely, risk-informed actions. By understanding the specific hazards, exposed populations, infrastructure, and potential consequences within their areas of responsibility, disaster management officers can better support preparedness measures and coordinate appropriate actions before hazardous events occur.

The continued collaboration between METEO RWANDA, WMO, WISER ActionFirst, district authorities, and other stakeholders will be essential in ensuring that weather and climate information is transformed into timely decisions and actions that protect lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, and development gains across Rwanda.

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