Introduction to Geospatial Information Technology Applications, Flood Forecasting and Early Warning Systems in West Africa
Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT) of the United Nations Institute for training and Research (UNITAR), WASCAL, HKV, WRI & FUTA developed the e-learning courses for the ECOWAS member states in the context of the Building Disaster resilience in Sub Saharan Africa program, an initiative of the ACP Group of States, financed by the European Union and implemented by the World Bank.
The aim of these e-courses is to introduce the basic concepts of flood forecasting practices and Early Warning Systems in ECOWAS region. Participants will go through selected case studies of operational Early Warning Systems services and Geospatial Information Technology applications for Disaster Risk Reduction relevant to support operational decision making for enhanced flood management in ECOWAS region.
The course is designed to accommodate participants from a variety of backgrounds and early career technical staff from governmental institutions of ECOWAS member states working in disaster risk management sector and hydro-meteorological services. Registered participants should have an academic background and/or professional knowledge of hydromet numerical applications and basic knowledge in GIS and Remote Sensing Technology. The participation of women in this course is particularly encouraged.
The e-learning course is structured into 3 modules:
Module 1: Disaster Risk Reduction and National/Regional policy frameworks in ECOWAS region (15 April – 22 April 2020)
• Session 1: Introduction to Disaster Risk Reduction
• Session 2: Introduction to DRR Polices, Practice, Research and Capacity Building in West Africa
• Session 3: Challenges in Disaster Risk Reduction Policies at Regional and National Levels
• Session 4: Trend in Transboundary Flood Incidences and Implications for National and Regional Policies
Module 2: Use of Geospatial Information Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction (22 April – 29 April 2020)
• Session 1: Introduction to Geospatial Information Tools for Disaster Risk Reduction
• Session 2: Flood Risk Mapping and Assessment using Geospatial Information Technology
Module 3: Hydrological Modelling Development of Flood Forecast and Early Warning (29 April – 6 May 2020)
• Session 1: Introduction to Flood Forecasting and Early Warning
• Session 2: FFEW Model Input Requirement and Data
• Session 3: Hydrological Modelling and Flood Forecasting
• Session 4: Early Warning Generation and Dissemination
The language of the course is English and French. The course extends over a period of three weeks. The approximate estimated overall learning time for this e-learning course is 20 hours, whereas at least 6 hours per week should be spent on this course. It will be delivered via UNITAR’s e-Learning platform, which allows the participant to establish a self-paced study program supported by various types of multimedia, required and recommended readings, discussion forums, assessment quizzes, and other useful study materials. Although the study program is self-paced, progress to subsequent modules is subject to participants’ participation on previous modules. Finally, there will be a personal evaluation to measure the understanding of the topics within each module.
Training is for all officials coming from ECOWAS member states
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a UNITAR certificate.