The Foreign Service Journal, December 2010

primary initiative in this area, the World Hydrological Cycle Observ- ing System program, supports its members, especially in lesser-de- veloped countries, in establishing accurate, timely and accessible knowledge for the sustainable de- velopment of freshwater resources. A key outcome of these activities is improved understanding of how water should be managed, distrib- uted and protected. In many countries, early warning systems are not an in- tegral part of disaster risk management. Often, disaster risk management simply means “response and recovery.” The WMO is working to shift focus to the time periods prior to severe weather events, paying greater attention to and investment in preparedness through improved weather observations, forecasts and warnings, effective communications to populations, community preparedness, and early response by local authori- ties One WMO program aimed at such improvements is the Disaster Risk Reduction program, which centers on effective communication to the public. The pilot’s primary focus is to improve the timeliness and accuracy of forecasts and facili- tate rapid public response to warn- ings of severe weather. Improve- ments in disaster preparation will reduce the cost of emer- gency foreign assistance and support the central foreign pol- icy objective of promoting secure and stable societies. The WMO’s Vital Role Casualties related to severe weather events have been decreasing steadily over the past 50 years as a result of in- creased knowledge and effective partnerships. During the 10-year period between 1956 and 1965, severe weather caused more than 2.6 million deaths; between 1996 and 2005, this number fell to 220,000. Improvements in forecasting accuracy have increased the effectiveness of emergency preparedness and re- sponse. Forty years ago, science and technology limited accurate forecasts to about 24 hours, and generally to weather occurring locally. Since then, scientific research has produced predictive capabilities that enable skillful forecasts five to seven days in advance, and sometimes even beyond. These capabilities are based on the world- wide collection of weather information. Here again, the WMO plays a vital role in facilitating cooperation between countries to collect and share weather data internationally, benefitting not only the local area where the weather is oc- curring, but every country in the world. U.S. representation in the WMO includes experts from the U.S. government, academia and the private sector. The United States administers the WMO’s Voluntary Co- operation Program and coordinates with the Department of State to enable the creation of mutually beneficial work for both the host nation and the United States. Developing a lesser-developed country’s meteorological services capabilities helps to facilitate a shift in interna- tional investment from relief to rebuilding. In turn, the increased capacity in these nations helps the NWS: The better a country is able to observe and transmit weather data, the better our global models and our forecasts. ■ 34 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 0 F O C U S Improving a nation’s ability to predict weather and warn citizens builds economic value by protecting investments and development assistance. CHANGE OF ADDRESS Moving? Take AFSA With You! Change your address online at: www.afsa.org/comment.cfm Or Send change of address to: AFSA Membership Department 2101 E Street NW Washington, DC 20037