Evaluating accessibility and usability of dissemination pathways for delivering climate information and services to vulnerable groups in semi-arid Kenya

Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)

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Abstract: Access and use of climate information and services are essential for building adaptation to impacts of climate change. These include early warning systems, weather forecasts, and research outputs relating to climate change adaptation in relation to food, health and conservation of natural resources. Climate information and services would help vulnerable groups (e.g. women, children, the elderly) to increase awareness and build capacity for disaster preparedness and community resilience to a changing climate. Despite concerted efforts by research institutions and climate scientists to generate and disseminate climate-related information and services, millions of vulnerable people in arid lands continue to experience food, income and health insecurities. Media sources (e.g. mass, print and electronic) and communication via community channels have been used to disseminate vital climate information and services, but their efficiency in reaching vulnerable groups is not wellestablished. A major research need was to characterize dissemination pathways for climate information and services to which vulnerable groups access climate information, and perceive as appropriate. A major goal was the determination of preferences and user-friendly attributes to the flow of climaterelated information and services to these groups.