Strengthening Climate Information Services and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems for El Salvador

The project aims to modernize El Salvador's National Environmental Observatory (DOA) by upgrading hydro-meteorological and ocean observation networks and implementing a National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS). It focuses on shifting from simple weather predictions to impact-based forecasting to better protect up to 4.6 million people from floods, mudflows, and droughts. Key components include the development of a Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS), the introduction of Forecast-based Financing (FbF), and the integration of traditional knowledge with scientific data. The project is funded by a $9.22 million GCF grant with $1.7 million in co-financing from the Government of El Salvador.

• El Salvador faces significant climate vulnerabilities, including projected temperature increases of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next six decades and potential precipitation decreases of 10% to 20%.
• The country's current climate observation capacity is hindered by an outdated and unevenly distributed meteo-hydrological network that relies on obsolescent or discontinued technology.
• The project intends to improve the preparedness and resilience of approximately 4.6 million Salvadorians, representing 81.5% of the total population, who are exposed to climate-related hazards such as droughts, floods, and mudflows.
• A central objective is the establishment of a National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS) based on the five pillars of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), including a User Interface Platform (UIP) for stakeholder interaction.
• The project will implement a national impact-based Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) utilizing the SMART DSS web-based system to assess potential hazards and disseminate warnings.
• To improve community acceptance and communication, the project will explicitly integrate traditional and indigenous forecasting methods with scientific meteo-hydrological data.
• The proposal introduces Forecast-based Financing (FbF), a proactive approach that automatically triggers humanitarian funding for pre-agreed actions when specific climate thresholds are reached.
• The project will strengthen ocean observation capabilities, including the installation of at least one marine buoy, to better characterize risks from sea level rise for the 26.6% of the population living in coastal zones.
• The project will generate data to create risk maps for infectious and zoonotic diseases, such as coronavirus, dengue, and malaria, as these are influenced by changing environmental conditions.

APA

Green Climate Fund (2020). Strengthening Climate Information Services and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems for El Salvador. https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/25160-strengthening-climate-information-services-and-multi-hazard-early-warning-systems-el-salvador.pdf

Chicago

Green Climate Fund. Strengthening Climate Information Services and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems for El Salvador. 2020. https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/25160-strengthening-climate-information-services-and-multi-hazard-early-warning-systems-el-salvador.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Green Climate Fund |title=Strengthening Climate Information Services and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems for El Salvador |date=28 September 2020 |url=https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/25160-strengthening-climate-information-services-and-multi-hazard-early-warning-systems-el-salvador.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greenclimatefund2020strengthening, author = {{Green Climate Fund}}, title = {{Strengthening Climate Information Services and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems for El Salvador}}, institution = {Green Climate Fund}, year = {2020}, month = sep, url = {https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/25160-strengthening-climate-information-services-and-multi-hazard-early-warning-systems-el-salvador.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }