Multi-hazard early warning systems workshop for Central America and the Caribbean

Introduction

Between 1980 and 2007, nearly 90% of disasters related to natural hazards, 70% of casualties and 75% of economic losses were caused by meteorological, hydrological and climate related hazards such as tropical cyclones and storm surges, floods, droughts, and extreme temperature (source: EMDAT). Over the last 50 years, while economic losses linked to extreme hydro-meteorological events have increased by nearly 50 times, loss of life caused by these hazards has decreased significantly. This has been attributed to linking information from monitoring and forecasting of hydro-meteorological hazards to effective emergency preparedness, especially in some of the most vulnerable countries.

Effective early warning systems (EWS) have four components including:

(1) detecting, monitoring and forecasting hazards;
(2) analysing risks;
(3) disseminating timely warnings, which should carry the  authority of government;
(4) activating emergency plans to prepare and respond. These four components need to be coordinated across many agencies at national to community levels for the system to work. Failure in one component or lack of coordination across them would lead to the failure of the whole system.

Based on detailed synthesis of documented good practices and consultation with experts, WMO together with other UN partners have developed the first guidelines on “Institutional Partnerships and Coordination in MultiHazard Early Warning Systems.” Furthermore, in collaboration with countries with good practices, a training workshop has been designed, which is carried out in conjunction with national and regional cooperation projects focused on the development of disaster risk reduction and EWS capacities.

Scope

The scope of the training workshop on “Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems with Focus on Institutional Partnerships and coordination” includes policy, planning, legislative, institutional partnerships and cooperation aspects of EWS. Within this context, the workshop highlights the importance of a strong partnership between the National Disaster Risk Management Agencies and the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services.