23/04/2019
Early warning systems are means by which people receive relevant and timely information in a systematic way prior to a disaster in order to make informed decisions and take action. The word system is used to refer to the interplay between an array of elements aimed at facilitating communication and prompt response to protect and aid those in need.
There are four basic elements to an early warning system where each part must function efficiently for the system to be successful:
Risk knowledge builds the baseline understanding about risks (hazards and vulnerabilities) and priorities at a given level.
Monitoring is the logical follow-on activity to keep up-to-date on how those risks and vulnerabilities change through time.
Response capability insists on each level being able to reduce risk once trends are spotted and announced — this may be through pre-season mitigation activities, evacuation or duck-and-cover reflexes, depending on the lead-time of a warning.
Warning communication packages the monitoring information into actionable messages understood by those that need, and are prepared, to hear them.
