Disaster risk reduction through early warning systems

This paper advocates for more effective early warning system (EWS) and better technology integration into emergency operations in Nigeria's emergency services to minimise the impacts of flood risk amidst the cascading effects of climate emergency. A combination of primary and secondary research methodologies was employed to conduct the study. The result displayed a lack of effective EWS and limited response capabilities especially in coastal towns and cities. The findings from this evaluative process indicate the need to drastically improve EWS and capabilities for response in coastal communities in Nigeria.

This paper recommends incorporating disaster risk reduction (DRR) into development planning and policy to ensure the long-term viability of disaster risk reduction efforts. Beyond the policy implication of this paper, the impact on practice includes reviewing existing structural and non-structural measures to incorporate applicable and more effective EWS for coastal communities, and technology into regional emergency operations centres in the country.