Project Overview

This project involves research to test mechanisms for incorporating climate information in disaster risk reduction in order to increase understanding of the role climate information could play as a guiding element in such situations. It builds off earlier field and policy research conducted by ISET and other partners in the region.

The project involves analysis of the types of climate information required by different users along the chain of actors involved in reconstruction and rehabilitation activities from the community to national and regional levels. It also addresses the factors that influence whether or not such information is accessible in a timely and usable manner. Finally, the project tests the use and dissemination of available climate information in specific contexts where local communities, government entities, non-governmental organizations, and other actors believe it could play a key role in reducing vulnerability. Such contexts include:

• Decision-making processes within relief organizations related to post-drought/flood/tsunami relief and reconstruction activities in case study regions, including some affected by the Asian tsunami;

• Disaster risk reduction and planning activities undertaken by local communities, non-governmental, and government organizations in vulnerable regions; and

• Basic educational and capacity building environments.