The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of the People’s Republic of China have officially launched the Tailored Intelligence for Actionable Early Warning Systems (TIAEWS) project in Pakistan.
Technology-enabled preparations
TIAEWS will establish 70 automatic weather stations (AWS), 70 hydrometric stations and 70 warning posts to create a robust early warning infrastructure. The project will focus on three key areas – developing an integrated data management system for early warnings, strengthening community awareness and disaster preparedness and improving governance and coordination for effective dissemination of critical warnings. This is intended to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities in Gilgit-Baltistan by improving their ability to anticipate and respond to natural hazards.
Supported by China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) through its Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF), the initiative aims to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to anticipate and respond to climate change impacts.
Project launch ceremony
At project launch, the partners highlight that Pakistan faces increasing threats from extreme weather events, including glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The rapid melting of glaciers in the country’s northern region has resulted in the formation of over 3,000 lakes, 33 of which are at high risk of sudden flooding. They also point out that more than seven million people in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain at risk, making robust early warning systems (EWS) an urgent priority for protecting communities, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
The launch ceremony also featured a demonstration of EWS equipment, showcasing the advanced technology that will be deployed to improve Pakistan’s disaster response capabilities, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Raja Nasir Khan, minister of the Planning and Development department at the government of Gilgit-Baltistan, reiterated the urgency of protecting both glaciers and the communities that depend on them. Muhammad Zubair, deputy secretary (UN Coordination) Economic Affairs Division at the government of Pakistan, highlighted the project’s alignment with the government’s long-term climate resilience strategy. Sahibzad Khan, director general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, further emphasized the critical role of advanced meteorological technologies in disaster preparedness.
Speaking at the launch event, Yang Guangyuan, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, emphasized the role of international partnerships in tackling climate change: “China recognizes its historical responsibility in addressing the climate change crisis and has consistently taken the lead in supporting our partners. Today marks another example of China’s ongoing commitment over the years. While it’s a small step, it strengthens our efforts to fight climate change, and after today, we are more confident about our future.”
In his virtual address, Li Ming, director general of CIDCA, commented, “The Chinese government is working with UNDP to implement early warning projects in six development countries under GDF, with Pakistan being the first to launch this initiative. This project embodies the spirit of South-South cooperation where developing countries work together to share experiences and develop solutions that meet their own needs.”
Dr Samuel Rizk, UNDP Pakistan’s resident representative, underscored the project’s significance: “This initiative marks another milestone in the trilateral partnership between Pakistan, China and UNDP to advance climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Building on UNDP Pakistan’s previous efforts through the GLOF-II and Glaciers and Students projects – that focused on early warning systems, glacier protection and community resilience – TIAEWS presents a significant step forward in scaling up these initiatives to build a more climate-resilient Pakistan. By aligning with Pakistan’s national priorities and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), this project will ensure that vulnerable communities not only receive life-saving alerts but also understand and act upon them.”
In related news, the Green Climate Fund recently invested US$103m in early warning systems for vulnerable countries. Click here to read the full story.