Special Contribution to the United Nations Early Warnings for All Initiative: Empowering Children with Risk Knowledge
Mr Cyrille Honoré, the Director of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), MHEWS Office and Public Services; Ms Xiao Zhou, Branch Programmatic Support Officer of DRR, MHEWS, and Public Services at WMO and Mr ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, Director of the Tongan Met Services, promoted COPE Disaster Champions in the Sixth Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting (PMC-6), hosted by the Fiji Meteorological Service on behalf of the Government of Fiji, in Denarau, Nadi from August 14-16, 2023.
This significant event brought together members of the Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting senior government officials representing countries and territories affiliated with SPREP, development partners, the Council of the Regional Organizations in the Pacific (CROP), United Nations agencies, as well as collaborating organizations and institutions. The primary aim of this gathering was to facilitate discussions, advocacy, and exploration of opportunities aimed at strengthening services related to weather, climate, water, oceans, and other interconnected developmental aspects, all within the framework of sustainable development.
COPE Disaster Champions actively participated in Agenda Item: 11.3, which focused on Empowering Children with Disaster Risk Knowledge. During this session, Mr Honoré and Mr ‘Ofa Fa’anunu introduced COPE to the attendees and unveiled the Cyclones book translated into Tongan.
Within the framework of the Early Warning for All initiative, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has made significant contributions to Pillar 1, particularly through its involvement in the COPE Disaster Book Series. WMO’s contributions include providing scientific guidance, developing a communication strategy, establishing collaborations with UN organizations, and promoting the initiative at global and regional events. Through these efforts, WMO enhances the accuracy and reach of the series, ensuring that its valuable insights into disaster preparedness reach a wide audience, from policymakers to at-risk communities.
From the sixth Pacific Meteorological Council meeting we achieved the following outcomes:
- Acknowledgment of the increasing need to raise children’s awareness and involvement in weather, climate, water, disaster risk reduction, and related environmental actions.
- Noting the progress of the COPE initiative.
- Recognition of the COPE initiative as a means to empower children with risk knowledge, enhancing their hazard awareness and preparedness.
- Endorsement of the recommendation to translate the COPE series into the local languages of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) using funding mechanisms such as Weather Ready Pacific.
We are beyond proud that these COPE messages will be reaching the children of Tonga and The Pacific Islands. It means so much to us. THANK YOU, Mr Honoré, Ms Zhou, and Mr ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, for believing in COPE’s mission and for being such a HUGE part of our impactful journey thus far.
Share Now:
