In fact, for the past decade, the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) have been working with assorted partners to increase awareness of, and investment in, the hydromet sector. GFDRR’s Hydromet team and the World Bank have partnered with leading national meteorological services across the globe – including agencies from Austria, China, Finland, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States – and work closely with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
“There’s been a recognition of the need to improve hydromet service delivery in vulnerable countries – a recognition that modernized hydromet systems can provide benefits and avert the loss of human life,” explains Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the WMO. “So, although much more remains to be done, there’s been a significant increase of investment in the sector.”