Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia

Overview

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) is an intergovernmental institution owned and managed by its member states, for building capacities in the generation and application of user-relevant early warning. RIMES evolved from the efforts of countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, to establish a regional early warning system within a multi-hazard framework.

RIMES strives to address gaps in the end-to-end early warning information value chain through technical support, strategic partnership, and capacity building at all levels. RIMES assists its member countries in establishing and maintaining early warning systems within a multi-hazard framework according to their unique needs. It also provides expertise to build regional platforms for data sharing, risk communication, and research efforts from a multi-hazard perspective encompassing climatic, seismic, oceanic and hydro-meteorological domains.

RIMES offers integrated solutions to improve modeling and forecasting capabilities and build decision support systems that facilitate rapid response to transboundary hazards. RIMES innovates products and services to support national as well as regional efforts toward climate and disaster-resilient development.

RIMES was established on 30 April 2009 and was registered with the United Nations, under Article 102 of the UN Charter, on 1 July 2009. RIMES operates from its regional early warning center located at the campus of the Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumthani, Thailand.