This multi-partner consortium is funded under the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) initiative and focuses on the impacts of tropical cyclones (TC) in Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique. It is an international collaboration involving partners across southern Africa, Europe and the UK. It is co-led by the Global Change Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), and the University of Bristol (UoB). The project is looking at enhancing resilience and preparedness in the face of changing tropical cyclone hazards.

Southern Africa is highly vulnerable to the impacts of tropical cyclones, as seen in devastating events like tropical cyclone Idai in 2019. The existing early warning systems in the region are insufficient to prevent loss of life and economic hardship. REPRESA aims to address this gap by improving early warning systems, conducting research on changing cyclone attributes, and formulating adaptation options to enhance resilience.

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

• Quantify the changing attributes of landfalling tropical cyclones and associated uncertainties.
• Assess tropical cyclone flood hazards now and into the future, including effects from surface water, river and coastal flooding combined
• Strengthen multi-hazard impact-based early warning systems for vulnerable communities.
• Formulate adaptation options that enhance resilience to intersecting vulnerabilities in a changing climate.

The project’s outcomes include improved early warning system uptake, strengthened humanitarian operations, and better-informed climate adaptation planning at various levels.

REPRESA brings together a diverse range of partners and collaborators, including universities, meteorological services, Red Cross organizations, and development institutes. The project aims to establish equitable partnerships and harness the expertise of social and physical scientists from different regions.

Photo Credit: IDRC