Technical Conference on Natural Disaster Prevention & Mitigation, Lima Peru 4-6 September
and
WMO XIV Session of Regional Association RA III South America, Lima Peru 5-13 September
2006

Claudius Marschalik of Selex Sistemi Integrati GmbH (Gematronik) attending as the HMEI representative.

Report by Claudius Marschalik:

There is an increased need for the region to become more involved in the detection, prevention and mitigation of natural disasters. The Technical Conference was the first one of a series of relevant actions initiated by the WMO. Statistics presented in the conference indicate that about 90% of the natural disasters in South America are of hydro-meteorological origin. It was revealed that the standards of meteorological and hydrological services and systems within the different South American countries vary significantly.

Furthermore, it became very clear that the funds for investment opportunities in this region of the world are very limited. The only chance for raising funds in an appropriate amount is through development banks such as the World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) who also presented their financial services. Projects must be initiated by the national Hydro-Meteorological organizations. The World Bank BID typically funds around 50% of a project, the rest must be financed by the national organizations.

The highlights of the agenda of the subsequent WMO XIV session were:

• WWW (World Weather Watch) Program implementation and regional aspects.
• IMOP (Instruments and Methods of Observation Program) Integrated Observing Systems.
• Information system and services, in particular the development and implementation of WIS (WMO Information System)
• WCP World Climate Program regional aspects
• AREP (Atmospheric Research and Environment Program) regional aspects
• AMP (Applications of Meteorology Program) regional aspects, in particular public weather services, aeronautical meteorology, marine and oceanography, hydrology and water resource program.

Both events excelled by their professional organization and execution. Special thanks shall be extended to the Peruvian Weather Service for their warm welcome of the participants.

XIV Session of Regional Association RA III South America documentation is available at ftp://ftp.wmo.int/Documents/SESSIONS/  The approved documents of the session can be seen at ftp://ftp.wmo.int/Documents/SESSIONS/XIV-RA-III/English/Approved%20docs_WP/