Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System

The hub was approved by the National Executive Council in August 2016, who committed about US$350,000 to establish the facility.

The PNG multi-hazard early warning centre will be multi-disciplinary and will act as a sub-regional hub for the Pacific Islands. 

Assistant director of PNG National Weather Service (PNG NSW), Jimmy Gomoga, said whatever products made will provide services to the Pacific Island countries.

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) highlights the importance of seasonal weather outlooks in planning for natural events like El Nino and flooding. 

RIMES institutional development specialist, Ruby Policarpio, says responsible authorities must start using information on weather outlooks more effectively to prepare for disasters.

Policarpio said while there have been repeated impacts of El Nino and flooding in the region, PNG still does not have effective recovery efforts and more importantly, disaster preparedness.

The forum was initiated by the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES).

It is a platform for interface between the National Weather Service and Geo-Hazards Management Division (GMD) and user institutions.

These include various government institutions like Center for Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) and Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL). 

Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) institutional development specialist Ruby Policarpio says Papua New Guinea must plan well and be prepared for natural events to avoid disasters.

Policarpio said hazard and disaster are two different things.

She explained that when anticipatory mechanisms are in place then preparedness measures can be done so that the impacts are minimized.

“When we are anticipating El Nino it doesn’t need to be a disaster but a hazard this is where seasonal weather outlooks are very important.

RIMES institutional development specialist Ruby Policarpio said when talking about climate, authorities must not only look at the risks but also the opportunities.

Policarpio said what they’re trying to drive is that the climate and weather effects can be a resource and provide opportunities and not only risks.

She explained that rainfall might be a risk to an area but a resource in another area.

“We would like to drive that kind of perspective.

The MoU was signed today between the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) and government institutions.

Institutions include Conservation Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), and National Disaster Center (NDC) and PNG National Weather Service.

The deal will also see the establishment of a PNG-RIMES Sub-Regional Centre for the Pacific.