Strengthening Early Warning Systems in the Caribbean

 

By UNDRR Americas

CHRIST CHURCH, Barbados 19 April, 2016 – The institutionalization and harmonization of Early Warning System (EWS) as well as integrating vulnerable groups in all processes related to EWS were the main themes of the Caribbean Early Warning System Workshop that took place last week, in which more than 70 participants from National Disaster Management Agencies, National Meteorological Services, National Red Cross Societies, Non-Governmental Organizations as well as regional, research, intergovernmental and United Nations organizations identified next steps on how to enhance coordination among stakeholders towards the harmonization of multi-hazard EWS in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean is a region prone to natural hazards such as floods, hurricanes, landslides, earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. In addition to a particular exposure, Caribbean countries have comparatively high vulnerability and although many efforts in disaster risk reduction have been made over the past years, including strengthening of EWS, there are still gaps in terms of preparedness.

Mr. Ronald Jackson, the Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), referred to the current strain on national budgets across the region which makes efforts to prioritize, advance and sustain early warning systems difficult. He stated, “… it means therefore that we have to better join up our individual efforts, mandates and convening power to ensure that as key stakeholders nationally and regionally, we are maximizing on limited resources, setting realistic expectations and delivering on them in a way that results in positive and sustainable results at the national and community level.” Mr. Jackson therefore described the Caribbean Early Warning System Workshop as relevant and timely in seeking to promote harmonization of EWS.

In addition, Ms. Elizabeth Riley, the Deputy Director of CDEMA, emphasized the fact that although all groups need to be involved in EWS, Governments, including National Disaster Management Offices, have a special role to play in providing the legal and institutional environment by enacting the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) model legislation and policy which speaks strongly to multi-hazard EWS in both the legislation and regulations.

During this three-day regional event, the following findings and recommendations were also put forward:

Include vulnerable groups in all processes related to EWS, for example their design, in order to learn and integrate their needs from the beginning. To ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach to EWS, there is a need to link the four elements: i) Risk Knowledge, ii) Monitoring and Warning Service, iii) Dissemination and Communication as well as iv) Response Capability. Any initiative should further support mechanisms and processes in order to better sustain investment (programme versus project approach). Use different types of communication to ensure that messages reach the target population. Define common messages and develop public awareness and education campaigns as part of a community-based EWS. Community involvement is critical at all stages of EWS. Communities need to be strengthened in order to protect themselves, react appropriately and help during an emergency situation.

Early Warning Systems are well-recognized as a critical life-saving disaster risk reduction tool. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 refers to early warning systems as a critical element for disaster risk reduction. One of the seven global targets is calling for a substantial increase of multi-hazard early warning systems which are also an important element to implement the Sendai Framework. Furthermore, the development, maintenance, sustainability and strengthening of early warning systems is part of the 2014-2024 CDM strategy. In this regard, partners including the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) are supporting related actions.

This workshop was held from 14 to 16 April in Barbados under the leadership of CDEMA. It was jointly organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Barbados and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in close collaboration with CDEMA, under the framework of the Caribbean Action Plan 2015-2016 of ECHO’s Disaster Preparedness Programme (DIPECHO).

Related links:

Caribbean Early Warning System Workshop

Model Comprehensive Disaster Management legislation and regulations, CDEMA, 2013

CADRIM

CDEMA

DIPECHO LAC

ECHO

IFRC

UNDP Barbados and the OECS

UNDRR