Mobile Early Warning System

Mobile Early Warning System (MEWS)

Shaqodoon’s Mobile Early Warning System (MEWS) empowers individuals and communities threatened by hazards, including climate-related emergencies, to act in sufficient time and in appropriate manner. It is managed by communities and active government agencies.

The MEWS platform is integrated with cooperating international weather forecast sites through RSS. This provides regular, relevant information of weather forecasts on the website, which are analyzed and disseminated by NADFOR.

MEWS is integrated with the mobile operators in Somali/land to receive information from established monitor groups. NADFOR can disseminate information through Interactive Voice Response (IVR) or Interactive Voice Broadcast (IVB) platform, and there is a call back feature that enables beneficiaries to call in to listen to alerts via short code if they miss the alert. In times of emergency, access is key. The Shaqodoon Mobile Early Warning System is flexible and responsive, featuring call out features, call in features, and call centre capabilities, which provide the option to learn about the system, to leave messages, to speak with someone, to report/provide info, and more.

How MEWS Works

  • Knowledge

    • A selection of pilot communities are selected in Somaliland

    • These communities receive full training on the Mobile Early Warming System

    • Communities will be taught about accessing and providing information on selected thematic areas

  • Information Collection

    The pilot project collects and tracks information on the following from FOA SWALIM, international Weather Forecast sites, NADFOR Field Staff, and Communities/Village councils:

    • Water and pasture

    • Weather conditions

    • Terms of trade for basic goods

    • Livestock diseases & prices

    • Prices of cereals

    • Livestock prices by type

  • Information Processing

    NADFOR is empowered to take a leading role in soliciting and receiving information from multiple sources, analysing and dissemination to relevant stakeholders; processing of information will including;

    • Analysis of information received

    • Translation of information

    • Relevant formatting for dissemination (i.e. Audio files to be sent through MEWS)

  • Information Dissemination

    Information received from multiple sources is disseminated through the Mobile Early Warning System (MEWS).

    MEWS is a mobile-based platform integrated to the core networks of the telecommunication companies.

    The platform is accessible to communities through a three digit toll-free short code and through web for NADFOR and aid agencies.

  • Action

    Communities, governments, and aid agencies collaborate to act on the information received, ensuring that risk to the community is mitigated as much as possible. While these groups work together, the MEWS system remains live and accessible via short code.

  • Reporting

    A log is established for both incoming and outgoing messages, and contains information regarding successful and unsuccessful calls by the operator. This allows for unsuccessful calls to be reinitiated.

    A dashboard with summary of the number of calls, number of registered beneficiaries, and sector data will be available along with any other information deemed necessary.

Technical Layout

MEWS can be used to receive regular, up-to-date information from multiple sources - both from web and through mobile. It provides a monitoring and warning system to alert and send out reliable information to communities who may be facing hazards or climate-related emergencies.