In March 2023, Tropical Cyclone (TC) Freddy made headlines as the deadliest cyclone ever to strike Africa and the longest-lived cyclone on record.

A Case Study of Tropical Cyclone Freddy has been developed for schools in collaboration with scientists and education specialists at UKMO. Prof. Lizzie Kendon, Head of Climate Projections at the UK Met Office (UKMO) and Professor of Climate Science from the School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, worked alongside Joshua Macholl, Climate Change Scientist (UKMO) and Rebecca Griffiths, Education Outreach Consultant (UKMO) to produce the resource which aims to raise awareness of the impacts of TCs in the region, complimenting the curriculum in schools.

In an accompanying video, Lizzie and Joshua share unique insights from visiting communities affected by TC Freddy in Malawi in 2023, as well as knowledge of the latest climate science and tropical cyclones.

The case study is available for all UK students studying Geography GCSE and equivalent qualifications and is also part of the UKMO Education Outreach Programme. It is based on research conducted under the REPRESA project, which is co-led ad by The Wits Global Change Institute (South Africa), Eduardo Mondlane University (Mozambique), and the University of Bristol (UK), along with other internal partners. The project aims to tackle the impacts of tropical cyclones in Southern Africa and Madagascar.

The initiative involves more than 10 partners across South Africa, Europe and the UK, including the Red Cross Climate Centre and the UKMO, as well as local meteorological offices in Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique. REPRESA is funded by UK aid from the UK government and by the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada as part of Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) research programme.

The case study can be accessed via https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/learn-about/met-office-for-schools/themes-for-11-14/resources-11-14/tropical-cyclone-freddy and the video can be watched here: Case study of Tropical Cyclone Freddy

In collaboration with the CLARE R4I Hub and South-South-North, the REPRESA project is convening strategic peer-sharing series, bringing together research and practice perspectives built on discussions at key stakeholder meeting in Malawi in 2024 and subsequent research, opening a space for dialogue on critical dimensions of EW4ALL.

Each interactive discussion aims to identify synergies and potential areas for collaboration between researchers and practitioners under the CLARE programme and beyond – to support strengthening a research network on multi-hazard early warning (MHEW) and early action (EA) systems within a changing risk landscape.

To promote meaningful cross-learning on emerging issues in early warning systems (EWS), the sessions are structured around five priority actions for building resilience across the three sessions. These actions were identified during the Open Space discussions at the CLARExchange meeting in Lusaka:

1. Understanding the risks of unprecedented events
2. Strengthening multi-hazard EWS infrastructure
3. Participatory community engagement
4. Integration of traditional, local and scientific knowledge into adaptation strategies
5. Collaboration across agencies

For more information, see the sessions concept note and agenda for session 1.CLARE EWS peer sharing session_cnote_agenda

Water source in Mossuril Dristrict, Mozambique.

Photo from fieldwork by Prof. Luis Artur, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane

REPRESA is co-led by the University of Bristol, Wits Global Change Institute (South Africa), and Eduardo Mondlane University (Mozambique), under the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) initiative. The project aims to foster socially inclusive and sustainable climate resilience strategies.

Leading climate scientists, meteorologists, and community leaders gathered in Malawi last October to understand how to enhance disaster preparedness and early warning systems (EWS) for tropical cyclones across Southern Africa. The three-day international meeting, held in Lilongwe, brought together over 100 experts to share knowledge, and develop solutions to tackle extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change.

Professor Lizzie Kendon, co-lead of REPRESA and a Professor of Climate Science at the University of Bristol, emphasized the urgency of this work: “Extreme weather events are intensifying due to climate change, and countries with fewer resources are disproportionately affected. By collaborating with local partners, we aim to improve early warning systems and build resilience within communities to mitigate the impact of future disasters.”

For more information or to liaise with project participants, please contact:

Lizzie Kendon, Principal Investigator: elizabeth.kendon@metoffice.gov.uk
Carlos Ayala, Research Project Officer, School of Geographical Sciences: carlos.ayala@bristol.ac.uk

EW4A_meeting_summary_report_Nov24

A new £4.8 million international project is set to help limit the devastating impacts of tropical cyclones in southern Africa.

REPRESA is a groundbreaking research initiative under the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE), that aims to enhance resilience and preparedness in the face of these powerful storms. Together, we will work towards minimizing the devastating consequences and protecting vulnerable communities.

CLARE is a £110m, UK-Canada framework research programme on Climate Adaptation and Resilience, aiming to enable socially inclusive and sustainable action to build resilience to climate change and natural hazards.

Follow the link for more information: July: REPRESA | News and features | University of Bristol

 

“This work was carried out with financial support from the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada as part of the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program (CLARE).”

This multi-partner consortium is funded under the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) initiative and focuses on the impacts of tropical cyclones (TC) in Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique. It is an international collaboration involving partners across southern Africa, Europe and the UK. It is co-led by the Global Change Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), and the University of Bristol (UoB). The project aims to enhance resilience and preparedness in the face of changing tropical cyclone hazards.

Southern Africa is highly vulnerable to the impacts of tropical cyclones, as seen in devastating events like tropical cyclone Idai in 2019 and . The existing early warning systems in the region are insufficient to prevent loss of life and economic hardship. REPRESA aims to address this gap by improving early warning systems, conducting research on changing cyclone attributes, and formulating adaptation options to enhance resilience.

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

• Quantify the changing attributes of landfalling tropical cyclones and associated uncertainties.
• Assess tropical cyclone flood hazards now and into the future, including effects from surface water, river and coastal flooding combined
• Strengthen multi-hazard impact-based early warning systems for vulnerable communities.
• Formulate adaptation options that enhance resilience to intersecting vulnerabilities in a changing climate.

The project’s outcomes include improved early warning system uptake, strengthened humanitarian operations, and better-informed climate adaptation planning at various levels.

REPRESA brings together a diverse range of partners and collaborators, including universities, meteorological services, Red Cross organizations, and development institutes. The project aims to establish equitable partnerships and harness the expertise of social and physical scientists from different regions.

CLARE is a £110m, UK-Canada framework research programme on Climate Adaptation and Resilience, aiming to enable socially inclusive and sustainable action to build resilience to climate change and natural hazards. For more information about IDRC and FCDO funded CLARE projects, please visit the provided link: CLARE – CLimate Adaptation & REsilience (clareprogramme.org)

For inquiries and further information about the project, please contact:

• Elizabeth Kendon, Principal Investigator – elizabeth.kendon@metoffice.gov.uk 
• Carlos Ayala, Research Project Officer – carlos.ayala@bristol.ac.uk

“This work was carried out with financial support from the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada as part of the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program (CLARE).”