REFORES Technical Field Visits Validated Sites to Strengthen Community Climate Observation Networks
- Technical visits carried out in Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras validated strategic locations for the design of Community Early Warning Systems, aimed at strengthening climate monitoring and improving information flow between technical institutions and communities exposed to extreme events.
During May 2026, technical teams from Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras advanced the validation of sites for the installation of meteorological and hydrometric equipment, with the objective of strengthening local capacities and consolidating community climate observation networks as part of the design of Community Early Warning Systems (CEWS).
These efforts are part of the objectives of the project Using Nature-based Solutions to Increase Resilience to Extreme Climate Events in the Atlantic Region of Central America — REFORES: Forest Restoration for Climate Resilience, which is being implemented in priority landscapes within the Gulf of Honduras.
This region, known as the “hurricane corridor,” faces increasing frequency and intensity of extreme hydrometeorological events, while decades of environmental degradation have weakened the natural protection provided by watersheds that drain into coastal areas. In response, REFORES seeks to strengthen connectivity between technical institutions and communities to improve climate monitoring and facilitate more timely responses to potential emergencies.
Allan Toval, a specialist at CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), explained that reducing risk depends not only on installing equipment but also on connecting data, institutions, and communities. In territories exposed to floods and hurricanes, electricity and telecommunications networks may fail during adverse events. Therefore, redundant systems, alternative connectivity solutions, and community networks capable of maintaining information flows are essential.
In Honduras , the work was carried out in collaboration with technical teams from the Center for Atmospheric, Oceanographic and Seismic Studies (CENAOS–COPECO) in communities within the municipality of Omoa. Activities included community capacity-building sessions on meteorology fundamentals and climate observation, as well as evaluations of data transmission conditions from stations installed by municipal authorities. The team also identified potential sites for the installation of automatic and conventional equipment, considering connectivity options through GPRS and satellite networks.
In Guatemala, the process focused on validating implementation sites and reviewing the compatibility of the equipment proposed for the Community Early Warning Systems, in coordination with the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (INSIVUMEH) and the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED), together with the municipalities of Livingston and Puerto Barrios. The work advanced coordination with national institutions and local governments linked to Local Disaster Risk Reduction Committees (COLRED).
Meanwhile, in Belize, REFORES strengthened coordination with national stakeholders involved in climate monitoring, disaster risk management, and emergency response, including the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO). In the Monkey River watershed, one of the project’s priority landscapes, strategic locations were identified for the installation of automatic hydrometric stations, staff gauges, and conventional rain gauges for community-based observation.
Across the three countries, the project has identified strategic locations for installing monitoring instruments whose data will be recorded by trained community leaders serving as climate observers. Through this effort, REFORES seeks to strengthen climate information governance at the local level and improve information exchange between communities and responsible institutions.
About REFORES
The REFORES: Forest Restoration for Climate Resilience project is a regional initiative that strengthens climate resilience along the Atlantic coast of Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras through ecosystem restoration as a climate change adaptation measure. The project is implemented by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), executed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and CATIE, and funded by the Adaptation Fund (AF).
More information/written by:
Karla Salazar
Coordinator
Communications and Marketing Office
CATIE
karla.salazar@catie.ac.cr
Diego Felipe Gómez
Communications Manager
WRI Colombia
diego.gomez@wri.org
