As the climate crisis makes extreme weather events more frequent, intense, and unpredictable, being prepared for disasters is more important than ever.
At Practical Action we work with communities who are especially vulnerable to disasters. Not only do they live in areas where natural hazards like floods or droughts are common, but they also lack the resources needed to prepare for the impacts of these events.
We’ve been working to develop and implement Early Warning Systems (EWS) in our partner countries for over two decades. This includes being an original member of the award-winning Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance.
We work with people to increase their knowledge of the risks they face, improve monitoring and warning systems, and make sure communities are ready to respond when risks are imminent. This gives an opportunity for people to take action, save lives and livelihoods, and reduce the impacts of disasters.
- Learn more about what makes an effective Early Warning System
Our Approach
Our work in EWS has evolved over time, but it always takes a holistic approach with people at the centre. We work with communities to understand their needs and find solutions that truly work for them.
Too often, the voices of marginalised people are missing from these conversations. Our unique Missing Voices Approach hears and amplifies these voices, working with them to co-design systems that address their needs.
We also collaborate with a range of scientists and researchers as well as governments, so that together we can build systems for the long term.
Sharing information is a crucial part of resilience building. As we learn, we continually share our knowledge with partners, experts, and the global community of disaster risk reduction specialists.
By taking an inclusive approach to Early Warning Systems, we can generate evidence and a process that can be adapted to any context and hazard. This will empower communities all over the world, so that no one is left behind in the face of climate-induced disasters.
