The United Kingdom (UK) has announced that Kenya will receive Ksh660 million for the Weather and Climate Information Services (WISER) programme.
Speaking on Thursday, November 14, during the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, UK Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds disclosed that the funding will aid in the adaptation to climate hazards such as droughts, floods and storms.
"At COP29, UK Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds announced a £30million (Ksh4.8 billion) uplift to the WISER (Weather and Climate Information Services) Africa programme, which includes up to Ksh660 million (£4 million) of new funding for WISER Kenya.
"This will go towards adaptation to climate hazards such as droughts, floods and storms, working with communities – particularly women and girls - to understand and respond to their needs," read part of a statement by the British High Commission.
The High Commission disclosed that the WISER programme will bolster early warning systems and proactive measures to mitigate disasters, aiming to reduce humanitarian crises by fostering timely action before calamities occur.
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The programme will be carried out in partnership with the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Climate Predictions and Applications Centre (ICPAC), and Kenya Red Cross.
British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan noted that WISER has supported farmers and communities in Kenya to anticipate effects of adverse weather.
“Weather and climate services help us all to prepare better. WISER has supported farmers and communities across Kenya - from Lake Victoria to Kibera - to anticipate and reduce the impact of severe weather.
“Through this funding uplift, we look forward to working with Kenya Meteorological Department and other partners to enhance Early Warning Systems and support communities to prepare for climate shocks such as droughts and floods,” Wigan remarked.
