Case Study: A health early warning system to reduce extreme heat impacts in Senegal

This case study profiles the efforts of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other partners to enhance the region’s preparedness and response capabilities, mitigating the health threats of climate change through heat-health early warning (HHEW) systems in the Sahel. An initial pilot, launched in Senegal in 2023, was led by the National Agency of Civil Aviation and Meteorology (ANACIM) and the Directorate General of Public Health (DGSP) at the Ministry of Health and Social Action (MSAS).

The bulletin provides information about the timing of expected heat waves, offers practical advice on actions to reduce heat strain, and is designed to be accessible to individuals, public officials, and local community groups. As part of the pilot, ANACIM and the DGSP conducted a survey through local Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers to better understand how forecasted information impacted people’s behavior. The pilot also tested different communication channels – such as community radio and targeted outreach to vulnerable groups – and evaluated the accuracy of global products for early warnings on heat at the local level.