Tunisia is highly prone to weather, climate and water-related disasters, such as floods, droughts, heat extremes and heatwaves, and sea level rise. The effects of these hazards pose a direct threat to lives; impact livelihoods by damaging and destroying infrastructure, assets, and land; and hinder sustainable development.
The report highlights that the benefits of weather, climate and hydrological (hydromet) services outweigh the capital and operational costs of providing them. Investing US$1 in hydromet services and early warning systems results in at least US$5.5 in socioeconomic benefits. To make the best use of these investments, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services should be modernized to deliver services which employ all possible means to reach end users with practical, user-friendly products.
The study assesses the current capabilities of Tunisia National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and provides the Government of Tunisia with a technical strategic framework to improve the country’s institutional capacity to save lives and livelihoods and to support social and economic development.