Integrating early warning into disaster risk reduction policies

This paper explains why early warning for disaster reduction should be a legitimate matter of public policy at the highest national levels, and describes the key elements for its successful implementation. The elements for integrating early warning into disaster risk reduction policies specifically address public authorities and should be seen as a tool to support the successful application of the existing Guiding Principles for Effective Early Warning produced during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR, 1990-1999).