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The topics of this course are in accordance with the concept of public weather services (PWS) where disaster risk reduction practices (DRR) play a major role.

Each year, the impacts of severe hydro-meteorological events around the world give rise to multiple casualties and significant damage to property and infrastructure, with adverse economic consequences for communities that can persist for many years. Many of these severe events can be well forecasted, and accurate warning information could be disseminated in a timely fashion by the responsible National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (NMHS). Unfortunately, even when there is an understanding of what the weather might be, there is often a lack of understanding of what the weather might do. Thus, for significant impact on the safety of the population, the NMHS should not only master the production of warnings of severe hydro-meteorological events, they should also pursue the understanding of their potential impacts and the uncertainties involved, both by the authorities responsible for civil protection/emergency management and by the population at large

- To discuss the possible effects of severe weather events on different sectors

- To demonstrate modern techniques for issuing weather warnings and their disseminations.

 -To discuss ways to improve the corporation between the different key players in DRR

It is expected that participants will be able to:

- To build a modern warning and dissemination systems

- To define a common alert protocol (CAP)

- To adjust the system standards according to international and national requirements

- To facilitate the corporation and collaboration between the NMHSs and the main users of warnings

 -To create and improve the verification and validation of warnings

The course will include professional lectures and visits on the following subjects:

- The role of the warnings system

- Warning types

 -International requirements and standards

- Definitions of thresholds for warnings

 -Forecaster tools for the forecasting of dangerous conditions and timely issue of warnings

 -Vulnerability and Risk

 -Adjusting the Communication Channel to the user needs

- Methods and technologies for warning provision and dissemination

 -Common Alert Protocol (CAP)

- Cooperation between the key players

- Follow-ups

- Warnings verification

The workshop is designed primarily for meteorological and hydrological professional staff of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services engaged in development and implementation of hydro-meteorological warning systems and disaster risk reduction practices. Academic background as well as at least five years' experience in relevant fields and English proficiency are required.

Application forms and other information may be obtained at the nearest Israeli mission or at MASHAV’s website: http://mashav.mfa.gov.il/MFA/mashav/Courses/Pages/default.aspx.

Completed application forms, including the health declaration, should be sent to the relevant Israeli mission in the respective country until 25th August, 2017.

Arrival and Departure

Arrival date: 5.11.2017

Opening date: 6.11.2017

Closing date: 16.11.2017

Departure date: 17.11.2017

Participants must arrive at the training center on the arrival date, and leave on the departure date. Early arrivals/late departures if required, must be arranged by the participants themselves, directly with the hotel/center, and must be paid for by the participant him/herself.

The course will be held at MATC - MASHAV's International Agricultural Training Center at Kibbutz Hotel Shefayim, situated 20 km north of Tel Aviv near the coastal city of Netanya.

Participants will be accommodated at Hotel Kibbutz Shefayim in double rooms (two participants per room).

MASHAV awards a limited number of scholarships. The scholarship covers the cost of the training program including lectures and field visits, full board accommodation in double rooms, health insurance (see below) and transfers to and from the airport. Airfares and daily allowance are not included in the scholarship.

Medical insurance covers medical services and hospitalization in case of emergency. It does not cover the treatment of chronic or serious diseases, specific medications taken by the participant on a regular basis, dental care and eyeglasses. Participants will be responsible for all other expenses, which are not covered by policy conditions. Health authorities recommend that visitors to Israel make sure they have been vaccinated against tetanus in the last ten years.

The lastest date for the submission of application forms is : 25th August 2017.