The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently released an alarming report: the Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems – Target G. This report reveals that half of the nations worldwide lack sufficient protection from Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS). The study was conducted using data implied by the Sendai Framework (2015-2030), a global strategy for disaster risk reduction and prevention.
The Sendai Framework and International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
The Sendai Framework has seven targets, with Target G focused on increasing the availability and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information for people by 2030. The framework was highlighted during the recent International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, celebrated annually on the 13th of October.
Initiated in 1989 by the United Nations General Assembly, this day promotes global awareness about risks and disaster reduction. The Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan, in 2015 emphasized the significant local impact of disasters, including potential loss of life and socio-economic disruption.
Understanding Early Warning Systems
Early warning systems are proven methods to reduce potential harm to people and properties amidst forecasted hazards, which could include storms, tsunamis, droughts, heatwaves, among others. MHEWS address multiple hazards that can occur singly, simultaneously, or in cascading fashion.
Unfortunately, many existing systems only cover single types of hazards, such as floods or cyclones, leaving several areas exposed to other potential dangers.
Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems: Key Findings
The report highlights a concerning lack of investment within the sector. This neglect consequently puts those who have done the least to provoke the climate crisis at risk. Countries in Africa, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) require significant investment in early warning coverage to adequately protect themselves against disasters.
Also alarming is the finding that only half of the countries globally have adequate MHEWS. The report warns that the increasing occurrence of climate disasters due to rising greenhouse gas emissions is posing a grave threat to human lives and economies.
Recommendations from the Report
The release urges all countries to invest in early warning systems. As climate change continues to escalate, frequent and unpredictable weather events, the urgency for a multi-hazard early warning system grows.
India’s Measures in Disaster Management
India has proactively taken steps to mitigate and respond to diverse disasters. Notable efforts include the creation of the National Disaster Reaction Force (NDRF), the world’s largest rapid reaction force dedicated to disaster response.
Furthermore, India’s foreign humanitarian assistance has increasingly incorporated its military assets, deploying naval ships or aircraft to deliver relief. India also notably contributes to regional disaster preparedness through affiliations like the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
On the environmental front, India has adopted the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030), and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, highlighting the links between Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), and sustainable development.