A training on the application of weather and climate forecasts, early warning information, and other climate services was conducted in Bonga, 18–20 May 2026, as part of activities supported by the BRIGHT project. The training was delivered jointly by experts from the Water and Land Resource Centre (WLRC) and meteorologists from the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI).
The primary objective of the training was to enhance awareness and practical understanding of the weather and climate information services provided by the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute and strengthen local capacity to access, analyze, downscale, interpret, and communicate weather forecasts and early warning information for local decision-making, climate risk management, and resilience building.
Dr. Amare Bantider of WLRC and Ato Tadele B., Deputy Head of the Kaffa Zone Water, Mines and Energy Office, emphasized the significance of uptake and application of climate and weather data to use as bases for climate-informed actions and build resilience capacity amid increasing climate variability and climate change, which have become indispensable across all sectors and development activities.
The training brought together 37 local experts (34 males and 3 females) drawn from the Kaffa Zone and four Woredas within the Woshi Catchment of the Zone. Participants represented the Water, Mines and Energy Offices, Agriculture Offices, Health Offices of the Zone and the Weredas; the Southwest Ethiopia Regional State Disaster Risk Management Authority; Kaffa Community Radio and Television; Bonga FM 97.4 radio; the Southwest Ethiopia Regional State Coffee, Tea and Spices Authority; Bonga University; and Mizan-Tepi University.