The Liberia National Red Cross Society has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Transport through the Liberia Meteorological Service (LMS).
The agreement aims to enhance collaboration in meteorological and climate data sharing, particularly in issuing alerts on floods, extreme rainfall, and heatwaves.
The MOU, announced earlier this week, represents a major stride toward improving Liberia’s early warning systems and ensuring that accurate, timely, and reliable weather and climate information reaches the most vulnerable communities.
“This partnership will help bridge the gap between data generation and community action,” a joint statement from the Red Cross and LMS noted. “By working together, we are reaffirming our shared commitment to saving lives and reducing disaster risks across the country.”
Under the agreement, LMS will provide regular weather alerts and early warning bulletins directly to the Red Cross. In turn, the Red Cross will leverage its extensive network of chapters, local branches, and trained community volunteers to disseminate this critical information to at-risk populations nationwide.
With climate change driving more frequent and intense weather events, the collaboration is seen as timely and essential. Liberia has faced increasing challenges from flooding, particularly during the rainy season, often leaving communities unprepared and exposed to severe risks.
“This partnership will greatly improve the flow of life-saving information,” said a representative of the Liberia Meteorological Service. “We are moving toward a system where alerts don’t just stop at the city level, they reach the last mile, the communities where action is needed the most.”
The Red Cross will also work with LMS on joint planning, training, and implementation of community-based preparedness activities. These include simulation exercises, early warning drills, and public education campaigns aimed at building long-term resilience.
The collaboration will ensure that local volunteers are trained to understand and interpret climate data and forecasts, allowing them to act swiftly and guide their communities in times of crisis.
“This is about empowering communities with knowledge and readiness,” said a Red Cross official. “We know from experience that timely information can be the difference between life and death during a disaster.”
The five-year timeframe provides room for sustained impact, monitoring, and improvement of the systems being developed. Both institutions have committed to reviewing the partnership regularly to adapt to emerging needs and opportunities.
As Liberia continues to build its capacity to respond to the effects of climate change, partnerships like this are seen as essential components of a broader national resilience strategy.
The signing of the MOU signals not only institutional collaboration but a united front in tackling one of the most pressing challenges of our time, climate-related disasters.
