Given its mostly semi-arid climate, Niger faces multiple climate threats, most prominently recurrent droughts, and floods. According to a retrospective analysis of losses suffered over 40 years (1973-2013), it is estimated that on average more than 40 billion CFA francs (US$66 Million) are lost each year due to disasters. And since then, flood-related disasters have increased, with significant events occurring in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022. Drought is behind the most significant shocks, sometimes in combination with other climatic events. Niger is also increasingly vulnerable to a variety of rapid-onset natural hazards such as locust infestation, flash floods, extreme wind and wildfires, hence an urgent need for real-time monitoring and short-term forecasting.
| Fragility/Conflict status: | Conflict situation |
| Programme type: | Country multi-year |
| Funding: | $4,700,020 |
| Duration: | April 2024- March 2028 |
| Status: | Ongoing |
The project has been prepared on the assumption that the basic services developed and/or strengthened during the first phase of CREWS will be reinforced at National level (seasonal and daily forecasts, ten-day agrometeorological reports, etc.). More specialized services (such as flood forecasting systems, customized agrometeorological information services, early warning reports to anticipate impacts, etc.) will be provided to selected areas that will be identified on the basis of the following criteria: (i) presence of specific hydrometeorological natural hazards; (ii) exposure of populations and critical infrastructures (urban areas, road dams, irrigation, transport, hospitals, schools, etc.); and (iii) likelihood of natural disasters, and (iii) the presence of investment projects that would enable hydrometeorological services to be strengthened and used optimally (particularly for urban dwellers, farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, hydroelectric power producers, aviation and other transport-related sectors, the extractive industries, local government, micro-insurance and town planners).
