Countries: Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda Source: UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Countries across the Nile Basin are strengthening their capacity to anticipate and respond to climate-related hazards, as experts convened for a four-day technical workshop to advance multi-hazard risk assessment and flood early warning systems under the Water at the Heart of Climate Action initiative. Bringing together representatives from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and disaster management authorities from Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, the workshop mobilized a broad coalition of regional and international partners, including UNDRR, WMO, IFRC, ICPAC, and leading technical institutions. The initiative directly supports efforts to translate improved forecasting into early action, helping countries better protect lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Strengthening risk-informed early warning systems Participants worked to enhance how risk information is generated and used, focusing on integrating hazard, exposure, and vulnerability data to deliver more accurate and actionable early warnings. Through technical sessions, experts strengthened their capacity in: Multi-hazard risk assessment and modelling Spatial data analysis and visualization Development of indicators to support early warning and anticipatory action This approach enables a shift from hazard-based alerts to impact-based forecasting, allowing authorities to anticipate not only when hazards will occur, but also who and what will be affected. The workshop accelerated progress on a multi-model hydrological forecasting system and an interoperable visualization platform designed to integrate multiple data sources into a single, user-centered interface. Validate model outputs Improve system usability Strengthen interoperability across forecasting tools These efforts are critical to ensuring that data systems are not only technically robust, but also operationally relevant for decision-makers. A key focus of the workshop was bridging the gap between forecasting and response, ensuring that early warnings lead to timely and targeted early action. ‘Climate data is essential, but data alone is not enough unless it is translated into policies, contingency planning, and action at community level,’ said Mr. Pieter Copper, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Government of the Netherlands in Rwanda. Participants defined clearer roles and responsibilities across institutions, strengthened data-sharing mechanisms, and advanced a common framework for coordinated risk assessment and warning dissemination. The workshop resulted in concrete progress toward implementation, including the development of an operational pilot plan for the upcoming rainy season. This includes: Agreed timelines for system deployment Verification procedures for real-time testing These outcomes mark an important step toward operationalizing multi-hazard early warning systems across the Nile Basin. Beyond technical advancements, the workshop reinforced collaboration across meteorological, hydrological, and disaster risk management communities, strengthening a whole-of-system approach to early warning and anticipatory action. As climate risks intensify across the region, these efforts highlight the importance of integrated systems, shared data, and coordinated action in ensuring that early warnings translate into meaningful protection for communities. Themes Preparedness Early warning Risk identification and assessment Country and region Rwanda