This Rwanda National meteorological Policy addresses coordination issues and ensures standards and regulation of services are in accordance with national and international agreed standards. The Policy sets direction for development and strengthening of the sector for offering effective and sustainable weather and climate services. This is very important especially in the light of increased threat due to impacts of climate change and variability. Meteorological information and services have significant contribution to sustainable development, safety of lives and property nationally and globally. Weather has no boundaries and therefore international collaboration is important. The Meteorological Sector in Rwanda is challenged by high demand for accurate, timely and quality information, services and other meteorological products. The Meteorological Policy aims to achieve the following objectives: i) Provision of quality, adequate and Meteorological services to other sectors; ii) Improving Meteorological infrastructure that will ensure availability of meteorological data and information for weather and climate advisories and warnings to the public for their safety. Also ensuring timely availability of weather information to farmers in rural areas; iii) Ensuring a sound meteorological institutional framework; iv) Ensuring meteorological services and activities are properly coordinated and harmonized and ensure that national and international standards, procedures and practices are adhered to; v) Increasing awareness on weather and climate issues so that national economic sectors factor - in weather and climate information in planning economic activities; vi) Meeting regional and international commitments regarding weather and climate issues; vii) Ensuring that meteorological records are processed and archived for current and future use; viii) Acquiring competent, qualified and motivated workforce for sustainable, adequate and effective meteorological services. Specific Policy objectives are: i) To have adequate and sustainable Meteorological station network for capturing sufficient data to meet national and international requirement and for climate change monitoring and studies; ii) To have adequate office accommodation; iii) To have a proper coordination mechanism in establishing and operating Meteorological station networks in accordance with standards and recommended practices; iii) To strengthen the telecommunication network, meteorological data processing, forecasting and dissemination facilities for enhancing rapid exchange of meteorological forecasts and information, including early warning information for severe weather and extreme climate events for disaster risk management; and iv) To have a sound institutional framework for the Meteorological Sector.
Rwanda · 2010-04-01