Extreme weather events threaten the health and livelihoods of millions of people every year. So far in 2024, the Sahel region has suffered prolonged and severe heat waves, while countries in southern and East Africa have experienced storms, droughts, and floods, contributing to a surge in cholera deaths.
Under the operation of the Norwegian Refugee Council, NORCAP aims to improve aid to protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. Recruitment to support those affected by climate change is largely focused on the African continent, particularly in West and East Africa, explained Lorene Kuraishi-van Haalen, NORCAP’s senior recruitment and communications adviser. These experts then work to ensure that the most vulnerable and impacted populations receive timely information on extreme weather, allowing them to take the necessary measures to prepare and make more informed decisions, for example, related to crops.
Many of the organization’s climate experts are based in key national meteorological offices, as well as regional institutions and United Nations agencies, to allow them to support capacity building and co-produce information and services, such as the East Africa Hazards Watch tool, with the national office and the local staff.