Heat early warning system in Senegal: current status and recommendations

This case study examines the current state of Senegal’s heat early warning system, including how heat risk is understood and monitored, and how warnings are issued, communicated and acted upon across institutions. It finds a strong and growing evidence base on extreme heat, alongside a national impact-oriented heat–health early warning system that has operated since 2022. The system’s use of context-specific heat metrics, locally differentiated thresholds and vulnerability-informed risk analysis is a key strength, supported by layered warning dissemination and strong cross-sector collaboration. However, gaps in impact data, preparedness, formal links between warnings and trigger actions, and long-term sustainability remain important challenges.

Key recommendations:

1. Strengthen trigger–action linkages
2. Strengthen data, vulnerability, and impact assessment for operational decision-making
3. Deepen equity and first-mile reach
4. Consolidate and institutionalize financing and capacity
5. Advance toward integrated, multi-hazard climate–health warning systems