The UK government has announced £5 million in funding to help the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region cope with the impacts of climate change.

The funding will expand the Met Office’s programme that offers information on weather and climate, which has already provided climate knowledge to more than 3.3 million African households since it was established in 2016.

This project has been used in Africa for the past six years, delivering more than £200 million in socio-economic benefits – and it will now be expanded into the Middle East.

Climate-based decisions at local, national and regional levels can be helped using the data and information provided by the Met Office – to help these nations build resilience to the ever-growing impacts of climate change.

COP26 Regional Ambassador, Janet Rogan, announced the funding: “I am extremely proud to announce the UK’s £5 million programme for MENA in partnership with the UK’s Met Office.

“This programme will see the Met Office expanding the scope of its successful Weather and Climate Information Services activity to this region, delivering impactful weather and climate services to those who need it the most.”