RANET PROGRAMS

The international meteorological and related earth science community is a unique endeavor that has developed massive observing, forecasting, and scientific capacities throughout the globe. The service and knowledge by-products of this community, however, tends to remain limited to urban centers, where there is ample communications infrastructure to distribute information. The contribution of RANET to the international community is to work on methods and programs that improve rural access to vital information in countries where broadcast and telecommunications infrastructure is lacking or expensive to operate.

RANET programs are designed to enable communities to potentially reduce their vulnerability to and impact of natural hazards and climate variations based upon the delivery of forecasts, observations, bulletins, etc. We also emphasize the development of locally owned infrastructure that is capable of carrying a variety of other humanitarian and development information. This better ensures the sustainability of the program by encouraging the maximum amount of local involvement. Additionally, RANET believes that by improving the ability of National Hydro-Meteorological Services to serve their remote populations, the inherent value of these institutions will increase; thereby securing national government support and understanding.

For the past several years RANET has developed programs in a number of African countries. Based upon the success of these efforts, the program began pilot efforts in the Pacific. Similar efforts are planned in South and Southeast Asia.

Every country program is unique and specifically tailored to meet the needs of different communities and national institutions, however program activities generally begin by helping a national meteorological or related agency define its needs and goals. Afterward an informal national workshop is generally held with demonstration and pilot activities following. Country and community partners are required to be part of any fundraising effort.

To facilitate country level programs, RANET does have ongoing programs in training and maintaining infrastructure. Details on these activities will be posted shortly.