Extreme weather events from disastrous flash floods to intense heatwaves are no longer distant environmental warnings in South Africa. They are happening right now, hitting harder, occurring more frequently, and leaving vulnerable populations exposed. These severe weather shocks disrupt essential healthcare delivery, damage critical clinic infrastructure, and dramatically increase the risk of climate-sensitive disease outbreaks.
The WEATHER Project (Warning system for Extreme weather events, Awareness Technology for Healthcare, Equitable delivery, and Resilience) is a multi-country, multidisciplinary collaborative initiative. We are co-designing an artificial intelligence (AI) powered Early Warning System (EWS) engineered to protect lives, equip healthcare professionals, and strengthen public health infrastructure against oncoming climate related disasters.
The project is mainly based in the province of KwaZulu-Natal as our primary hub while bringing together leading universities, public health services, policymakers, and local residents. Together, we co-create practical, science-backed solutions that elevate disaster preparedness, boost health system resilience, and support rapid recovery.
What We Do
- Investigate Climate-Health Links: Conducting rigorous research on how heavy rainfall, flooding, and heatwaves drive health risks and infectious disease outbreaks across local communities.
- Predict & Warn Early: Developing an , AI-driven Early Warning System that forecasts extreme weather hazards and health risks in advance.
- Strengthen Health Facilities: Auditing primary healthcare clinics and training health workers on standardised protocols to strengthen the health system .
- Empower Public Response: Partnering directly with local leaders and residents in high-risk areas to co-design clear, action-oriented emergency guidance in local languages.