As floods, droughts, and landslides grow more frequent and intense across West and Central Africa, the humanitarian community faces a critical challenge: how to stay one step ahead of climate-driven crises. The answer lies in anticipation – and in data.

This is why the team at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in West and Central Africa developed the Climate Impacts Monitoring and Analysis Platform (CLIMAP). What began in 2021 as a flood monitoring initiative has evolved into a dynamic, data-rich platform that tracks and analyzes climate impacts at the subnational level.

What sets CLIMAP apart is its community-powered intelligence. Local authorities, NGOs, and humanitarian actors contribute real-time, context-specific data, making the platform not just a tool, but a living network of climate vigilance.

CLIMAP equips humanitarian responders with:

CLIMAP is more than just an example of technology – it’s a new vision for humanitarian action: one that is data-driven, locally grounded, and future-focused.

While tools like CLIMAP are essential, it’s the people behind them – their knowledge, passion and persistence – that truly drive impact. In a region where every second counts, CLIMAP is helping ensure that humanitarian action is not just reactive, but proactive.

Behind CLIMAP’s success are its architects

Their leadership in both the platform’s technical development and user engagement has been instrumental. From building the front and back ends to leading capacity-building webinars, their dedication has transformed CLIMAP from a concept into a cornerstone of regional preparedness.