The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has provided USD 1.5 million to upgrade the country's meteorological agencies to international standards.

The Environment Ministry said on Tuesday that the funds were allocated through the Systematic Observation Financing Facility (SOFF) through UNEP.

Minister Thorig Ibrahim signed the agreement on behalf of the Environment Ministry at a special ceremony held at the Environment Ministry yesterday. The agreement was signed on behalf of UNEP by Early Warning and Assessment Division Director, Jian Liu.

According to the Environment Ministry, under the agreement, the funds will be used to upgrade the observation system of the existing four mat offices in the country. To set up another office at Maafaru airport.

During the project, it will meet the standards of the Global Basic Observation Network of the Maldives Meteorological Department.

It will also procure some equipment for calibrating the instruments over a period of four years and facilitate it with the help of regional countries, the environment ministry said.

The project includes

  • Upgrading observation system of four Met offices (Hanimaadhoo, Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo and Addu)
  • Setting up of another office at Maafaru Airport
  • Repairing The Upper Air (Radio Sonde) system in Gan, Addu Atoll
  • Implementing some training programs for the equipment and staff to maintain the systems at a good level for the next four years