Developing Early Warning Systems:A Checklist

EWC IIIThird International Conferenceon Early WarningFrom concept to action

27 – 29 March 2006, Bonn, Germany

ewcIII_CL_cover_rz_druck.indd 1 23.05.2006, 11:08:29

FOREWORD

Early warning is a major element of disaster riskreduction. It prevents loss of life and reducesthe economic and material impact of disasters.To be effective, early warning systems need toactively involve the communities at risk,facilitate public education and awareness ofrisks, effectively disseminate messages andwarnings and ensure there is constant state ofpreparedness.

In January 2005, the World Conference onDisaster Reduction adopted the “HyogoFramework for Action 2005-2015: Building theResilience of Nations and Communities toDisasters”. This included clear references to theimportance of early warning, and encouragedthe development of “early warning systems thatare people centred, in particular systems whosewarnings are timely and understandable tothose at risk (…) including guidance on how toact upon warnings (…)” (para. 17, ii.d.9).

The Third International Conference on EarlyWarning (EWC III) held in Bonn, Germany from27-29 March 2006 provided the opportunity topresent new and innovative early warningprojects and to discuss natural hazards andrisks around the world and how their impactscan be minimised through the implementation ofpeople-centred early warning. The presentdocument “Developing Early Warning Systems:A Checklist” was developed as a conferenceoutcome, to both inform and draw upon thediscussions and practical examples raisedduring the conference, and to support theimplementation of the early warningcomponents of the Hyogo Framework forAction.

The Checklist, which is structured around thefour key elements of effective early warningsystems, aims to be a simple list of the mainelements and actions that national governmentsor community organizations can refer to whendeveloping or evaluating early warning systems,or simply checking that crucial procedures arein place. It is not intended to be acomprehensive design manual, but instead apractical, non-technical reference tool to ensurethat the major elements of a good early warningsystem are in place.

AcknowledgementsThe Checklist was initiated by the secretariat ofthe Third International Conference on EarlyWarning with the financial support of theGovernment of Germany. The project wasundertaken by consultant Alison Wiltshire,based at the ISDR Platform for the Promotion ofEarly Warning (PPEW) in Bonn. In addition toinformation gathered during the two and a halfdays of the conference, significant substantiveinput was received from organizations andindividuals involved in early warning anddisaster risk reduction, in the United Nationsinternational system and beyond.

Appreciation and thanks are extended to allcontributors to this collective exercise, includingthe participants and project presenters of theThird International Conference on EarlyWarning who openly shared their views,concerns and practical experiences on how wecan achieve effective early warning systemswhich place people at their core.

“Countries that develop policy legislativeand institutional frameworks for disasterrisk reduction and that are able todevelop and track progress throughspecific and measurable indicators havegreater capacity to manage risks and toachieve widespread consensus for,engagement in, and compliance withdisaster risk reduction measures acrossall sectors of society.”

Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015:Building the Resilience of Nations andCommunities to Disasters, Paragraph 16.

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WHAT’S INSIDE

This document aims to present a short, simplechecklist of basic elements, actions and goodpractices associated with effective earlywarning systems. It is intended to be a non-technical reference tool rather than anextensive ‘how to’ list for the design of earlywarning systems.

How to Use the ChecklistThe document is broken into two inter-relatedparts that should be read in order. The firstsection provides useful background informationand overarching issues important to earlywarning. The second part is a series ofpractical checklists of actions and initiativesthat should be considered when developing orevaluating early warning systems.

1. Key elements of early warning, cross-cutting issues and actors involved inearly warning

A brief section on the four elements of earlywarning: risk knowledge; technical monitoringand warning service; communication anddissemination of warnings; and communityresponse capability is included to emphasizethe major components that comprise aneffective people-centred early warning system,and why each is important.

In addition to the four elements, a number ofcross–cutting issues that are critical to thedevelopment and sustainability of effectiveearly warning systems have been outlined.These include effective governance andinstitutional arrangements, a multi-hazardapproach to early warning, involvement of localcommunities and consideration of genderperspective and cultural diversity.

An explanation of the main actors involved inearly warning activities, and their roles andresponsibilities, is included to provide somecontext and further background to the list ofkey actors presented at the beginning of eachof the checklists.

2. A checklist of practical actions to assistin developing, evaluating or refining anearly warning system

For ease of use and practicality, an individualchecklist has been developed for each of thefour elements of early warning. An additionalchecklist has also been prepared on the cross-cutting issue of governance and institutionalarrangements due to the importance of thisissue to the sustainability and cohesiveness ofeffective early warning systems.

Each of the checklists is grouped under aseries of major themes and includes a simplelist of actions or steps that, if followed, willprovide a solid basis upon which to build orassess an early warning system.

“Much has been learnt from the creativedisaster prevention efforts of poorcommunities in developing countries.Prevention policy is too important to beleft to governments and internationalagencies alone. To succeed, it must alsoengage civil society, the private sectorand the media.”

Kofi AnnanUN Secretary-GeneralInternational Decade for Natural DisasterReduction (IDNDR) Programme ForumGeneva, July 1999

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Four Elements of People-centred Early WarningSystems

Source: UN/ISDR Platform for the Promotion of Early Warning

PEOPLE-CENTRED EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS

1. The Key ElementsThe objective of people-centred early warningsystems is to empower individuals andcommunities threatened by hazards to act insufficient time and in an appropriate manner toreduce the possibility of personal injury, loss oflife and damage to property and theenvironment.

A complete and effective early warning systemcomprises four inter-related elements, spanningknowledge of hazards and vulnerabilitiesthrough to preparedness and capacity torespond. Best practice early warning systemsalso have strong inter-linkages and effectivecommunication channels between all of theelements.

Risk KnowledgeRisks arise from the combination of hazardsand vulnerabilities at a particular location.Assessments of risk require systematiccollection and analysis of data and shouldconsider the dynamic nature of hazards andvulnerabilities that arise from processes such asurbanization, rural land-use change,environmental degradation and climate change.Risk assessments and maps help to motivatepeople, prioritise early warning system needsand guide preparations for disaster preventionand responses.

Monitoring and Warning ServiceWarning services lie at the core of the system.There must be a sound scientific basis forpredicting and forecasting hazards and areliable forecasting and warning system thatoperates 24 hours a day. Continuous monitoringof hazard parameters and precursors isessential to generate accurate warnings in atimely fashion. Warning services for differenthazards should be coordinated where possibleto gain the benefit of shared institutional,procedural and communicationnetworks.

Dissemination and CommunicationWarnings must reach those at risk. Clearmessages containing simple, useful informationare critical to enable proper responses that willhelp safeguard lives and livelihoods. Regional,national and community level communicationsystems must be pre-identified and appropriateauthoritative voices established. The use ofmultiple communication channels is necessaryto ensure as many people as possible arewarned, to avoid failure of any one channel, andto reinforce the warning message.

Response CapabilityIt is essential that communities understand theirrisks; respect the warning service and knowhow to react. Education and preparednessprogrammes play a key role. It is also essentialthat disaster management plans are in place,well practiced and tested. The communityshould be well informed on options for safebehaviour, available escape routes, and howbest to avoid damage and loss to property.

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2. Cross-cutting IssuesThere are a range of overarching issues thatshould be taken into account when designingand maintaining effective early warningsystems.

Effective Governance and InstitutionalArrangementsWell-developed governance and institutionalarrangements support the successfuldevelopment and sustainability of sound earlywarning systems. They are the foundationsupon which the previously outlined fourelements of early warning are built,strengthened and maintained.

Good governance is encouraged by robust legaland regulatory frameworks and supported bylong-term political commitment and effectiveinstitutional arrangements. Effectivegovernance arrangements should encouragelocal decision-making and participation whichare supported by broader administrative andresource capabilities at the national or regionallevel.

Vertical and horizontal communication andcoordination between early warningstakeholders should also be established.

A Multi-Hazard ApproachWhere possible, early warning systems shouldlink all hazard-based systems. Economies ofscale, sustainability and efficiency can beenhanced if systems and operational activitiesare established and maintained within a multi-purpose framework that considers all hazardsand end user needs.

Multi-hazard early warning systems will also beactivated more often than a single-hazardwarning system, and therefore should providebetter functionality and reliability for dangeroushigh intensity events, such as tsunamis, thatoccur infrequently. Multi-hazard systems alsohelp the public better understand the range ofrisks they face and reinforce desiredpreparedness actions and warning responsebehaviours.

Involvement of Local CommunitiesPeople-centred early warning systems rely onthe direct participation of those most likely to beexposed to hazards. Without the involvement oflocal authorities and communities at risk,government and institutional interventions andresponses to hazard events are likely to beinadequate.

A local, ‘bottom-up’ approach to early warning,with the active participation of localcommunities, enables a multi-dimensionalresponse to problems and needs. In this way,local communities, civic groups and traditionalstructures can contribute to the reduction ofvulnerability and to the strengthening of localcapacities.

Consideration of Gender Perspectives andCultural DiversityIn developing early warning systems it isessential to recognize that different groups havedifferent vulnerabilities according to culture,gender or other characteristics that influencetheir capacity to effectively prepare for, preventand respond to disasters. Women and menoften play different roles in society and havedifferent access to information in disastersituations. In addition, the elderly, disabled andsocio-economically disadvantaged are oftenmore vulnerable.

Information, institutional arrangements andwarning communication systems should betailored to meet the needs of every group inevery vulnerable community.

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3. Key ActorsDeveloping and implementing an effective earlywarning system requires the contribution andcoordination of a diverse range of individualsand groups. The following list provides a briefexplanation of the types of organizations andgroups that should be involved in early warningsystems and their functions and responsibilities.

Communities, particularly those mostvulnerable, are fundamental to people-centredearly warning systems. They should be activelyinvolved in all aspects of the establishment andoperation of early warning systems; be aware ofthe hazards and potential impacts to which theyare exposed; and be able to take actions tominimize the threat of loss or damage.

Local governments, like communities andindividuals, are at the centre of effective earlywarning systems. They should be empoweredby national governments, have considerableknowledge of the hazards to which theircommunities are exposed and be activelyinvolved in the design and maintenance of earlywarning systems. They must understandadvisory information received and be able toadvise, instruct and engage the local populationin a manner that increases public safety andreduces the possible loss of resources on whichthe community depends.

National governments are responsible forhigh-level policies and frameworks that facilitateearly warning and for the technical systems thatpredict and issue national hazard warnings.National governments should interact withregional and international governments andagencies to strengthen early warning capacitiesand ensure that warnings and relatedresponses are directed towards the mostvulnerable populations. The provision of supportto local communities and governments todevelop operational capabilities is also anessential function.

Regional institutions and organizations playa role in providing specialized knowledge andadvice which supports national efforts todevelop and sustain early warning capabilities

in countries that share a common geographicalenvironment. In addition, they encouragelinkages with international organizations andfacilitate effective early warning practicesamong adjacent countries.

International bodies can provide internationalcoordination, standardization, and support fornational early warning activities and foster theexchange of data and knowledge betweenindividual countries and regions. Support mayinclude the provision of advisory information,technical assistance, and policy andorganizational support necessary to aid thedevelopment and operational capabilities ofnational authorities or agencies.

Non-governmental organisations play a rolein raising awareness among individuals,communities and organizations involved in earlywarning, particularly at the community level.They can also assist with implementing earlywarning systems and in preparing communitiesfor natural disasters. In addition, they can playan important advocacy role to help ensure thatearly warning stays on the agenda ofgovernment policy makers.

The private sector has a diverse role to play inearly warning, including developing earlywarning capabilities in their own organizations.The media plays a vital role in improving thedisaster consciousness of the generalpopulation and disseminating early warnings.The private sector also has a large untappedpotential to help provide skilled services in formof technical manpower, know-how or donations(in-kind and cash) of goods or services.

The science and academic community has acritical role in providing specialized scientificand technical input to assist governments andcommunities in developing early warningsystems. Their expertise is central to analysingnatural hazard risks facing communities,supporting the design of scientific andsystematic monitoring and warning services,supporting data exchange, translating scientificor technical information into comprehensiblemessages, and to the dissemination ofunderstandable warnings to those at risk.

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Key Element 1: RISK KNOWLEDGEAim: Establish a systematic, standardized process to collect, assess and share data, maps and trendson hazards and vulnerabilities.

Key ActorsInternational, national and local disaster management agencies; meteorological and hydrologicalorganizations; geophysical experts; social scientists; engineers; land use and urban planners;researchers and academics; organizations and community representatives involved in disastermanagement; international and UN agencies such as WMO, UN/ISDR, UNEP, UNU-EHS, UNOSAT,UNDP, FAO, UNESCO.

Checklist

1. Organizational Arrangements Established Key national government agencies involved in

hazard and vulnerability assessmentsidentified and roles clarified (e.g. agenciesresponsible for economic data, demographicdata, land use planning, social data etc).

Responsibility for coordinating hazardidentification, vulnerability and riskassessment assigned to one nationalorganization.

Legislation or government policy mandatingthe preparation of hazard and vulnerabilitymaps for all communities in place.

National standards for the systematiccollection, sharing and assessment of hazardand vulnerability data developed, andstandardized with neighbouring or regionalcountries, where appropriate.

Process for scientific and technical experts toassess and review the accuracy of risk dataand information developed.

Strategy to actively engage communities inlocal hazard and vulnerability analysesdeveloped.

Process to review and update risk data eachyear, and include information on any new oremerging vulnerabilities and hazardsestablished.

2. Natural Hazards Identified

Characteristics of key natural hazards (e.g.intensity, frequency and probability) analysedand historical data evaluated.

Hazard maps developed to identify thegeographical areas and communities thatcould be affected by natural hazards.

An integrated hazard map developed (wherepossible) to assess the interaction of multiplenatural hazards.

3. Community Vulnerability Analysed

Community vulnerability assessmentsconducted for all relevant natural hazards.

Historical data sources and potential futurehazard events considered in vulnerabilityassessments.

Factors such as gender, disability, access toinfrastructure, economic diversity andenvironmental sensitivities considered.

Vulnerabilities documented and mapped (e.g.people or communities along coastlinesidentified and mapped).

4. Risks Assessed

Interaction of hazards and vulnerabilitiesassessed to determine the risks faced byeach region or community.

Community and industry consultationconducted to ensure risk information iscomprehensive and includes historical andindigenous knowledge, and local informationand national level data.

Activities that increase risks identified andevaluated.

Results of risks assessment integrated intolocal risk management plans and warningmessages.

5. Information Stored and Accessible

Central ‘library’ or GIS database establishedto store all disaster and natural hazard riskinformation.

Hazard and vulnerability data available togovernment, the public and the internationalcommunity (where appropriate).

Maintenance plan developed to keep datacurrent and updated.

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Key Element 2: MONITORING AND WARNING SERVICEAim: Establish an effective hazard monitoring and warning service with a sound scientific andtechnological basis.

Key ActorsNational meteorological and hydrological services; specialised observatory and warning centres (e.g.for water, volcano); universities and research institutes; private sector equipment suppliers;telecommunications authorities; quality management experts; regional technical centres; UN agenciessuch as UN/ISDR, WMO, FAO, UNESCO, UNEP, UNOSAT, OCHA, ITU.

Checklist

1. Institutional Mechanisms Established

Standardized process, and roles andresponsibilities of all organizations generatingand issuing warnings established andmandated by law.

Agreements and interagency protocolsestablished to ensure consistency of warninglanguage and communication channels wheredifferent hazards are handled by differentagencies.

An all-hazard plan to obtain mutualefficiencies and effectiveness among differentwarning systems established.

Warning system partners, including localauthorities, aware of which organizations areresponsible for warnings.

Protocols in place to define communicationresponsibilities and channels for technicalwarning services.

Communication arrangements withinternational and regional organizationsagreed and operational.

Regional agreements, coordinationmechanisms and specialized centres in placefor regional concerns such as tropicalcyclones, floods in shared basins, dataexchange, and technical capacity building.

Warning system subjected to system-widetests and exercises at least once each year.

A national all-hazards committee on technicalwarning systems in place and linked tonational disaster management and reductionauthorities, including the national platform fordisaster risk reduction.

System established to verify that warningshave reached the intended recipients.

Warning centres staffed at all times (24 hoursper day, seven days per week).

2. Monitoring Systems Developed

Measurement parameters and specificationsdocumented for each relevant hazard.

Plans and documents for monitoring networksavailable and agreed with experts andrelevant authorities.

Technical equipment, suited to localconditions and circumstances, in place andpersonnel trained in its use and maintenance.

Applicable data and analysis from regionalnetworks, adjacent territories andinternational sources accessible.

Data received, processed and available inmeaningful formats in real time, or near-realtime.

Strategy in place for obtaining, reviewing anddisseminating data on vulnerabilitiesassociated with relevant hazards.

Data routinely archived and accessible forverification and research purposes.

3. Forecasting and Warning SystemsEstablished

Data analysis, prediction and warninggeneration based on accepted scientific andtechnical methodologies.

Data and warning products issued withininternational standards and protocols.

Warning analysts trained to appropriateinternational standards.

Warning centres equipped with appropriateequipment needed to handle data and runprediction models.

Fail-safe systems in place, such as powerback-up, equipment redundancy and on-callpersonnel systems.

Warnings generated and disseminated in anefficient and timely manner and in a formatsuited to user needs.

Plan implemented to routinely monitor andevaluate operational processes, includingdata quality and warning performance.

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Key Element 3: DISSEMINATION AND COMMUNICATIONAim: Develop communication and dissemination systems to ensure people and communities arewarned in advance of impending natural hazard events and facilitate national and regionalcoordination and information exchange.

Key ActorsInternational, national and local disaster management agencies; national meteorological andhydrological services; military and civil authorities; media organizations (print, television, radio and on-line); businesses in vulnerable sectors (e.g. tourism, aged care facilities, marine vessels); community-based and grassroots organizations; international and UN agencies such as UN/ISDR, IFRC, UNDP,UNESCO, UNEP, WMO, OCHA.

Checklist

1. Organizational and Decision-makingProcesses Institutionalised

Warning dissemination chain enforcedthrough government policy or legislation (e.g.message passed from government toemergency managers and communities etc).

Recognized authorities empowered todisseminate warning messages (e.g.meteorological authorities to provide weathermessages, health authorities to providehealth warnings).

Functions, roles and responsibilities of eachactor in the warning dissemination processspecified in legislation or government policy(e.g. national meteorological and hydrologicalservices, media, NGOs).

Roles and responsibilities of regional or crossborder early warning centres defined,including the dissemination of warnings toneighbouring countries.

Volunteer network trained and empowered toreceive and widely disseminate hazardwarnings to remote households andcommunities.

2. Effective Communication Systems andEquipment Installed

Communication and dissemination systemstailored to the needs of individualcommunities (e.g. radio or television for thosewith access; and sirens, warning flags ormessenger runners for remote communities).

Warning communication technology reachesthe entire population, including seasonalpopulations and remote locations.

International organizations or expertsconsulted to assist with identification andprocurement of appropriate equipment.

Multiple communication mediums used forwarning dissemination (e.g. mass media andinformal communication).

Agreements developed to utilise privatesector resources where appropriate (e.g.amateur radios, safety shelters).

Consistent warning dissemination andcommunication systems used for all hazards.

Communication system is two-way andinteractive to allow for verification thatwarnings have been received.

Equipment maintenance and upgradeprogramme implemented and redundanciesenforced so back-up systems are in place inthe event of a failure.

3. Warning Messages Recognised andUnderstood

Warning alerts and messages tailored to thespecific needs of those at risk (e.g. for diversecultural, social, gender, linguistic andeducational backgrounds).

Warning alerts and messages aregeographically-specific to ensure warningsare targeted to those at risk only.

Messages incorporate the understanding ofthe values, concerns and interests of thosewho will need to take action (e.g. instructionsfor safeguarding livestock and pets).

Warning alerts clearly recognisable andconsistent over time and include follow-upactions when required.

Warnings specific about the nature of thethreat and its impacts.

Mechanisms in place to inform the communitywhen the threat has ended.

Study into how people access and interpretearly warning messages undertaken andlessons learnt incorporated into messageformats and dissemination processes.

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Key Element 4: RESPONSE CAPABILITYAim: Strengthen the ability of communities to respond to natural disasters through enhancededucation of natural hazard risks, community participation and disaster preparedness.

Key ActorsCommunity-based and grassroots organizations; schools; universities; informal education sector;media (print, radio, television, on-line); technical agencies with specialised knowledge of hazards;international; national and local disaster management agencies; regional disaster managementagencies; international and UN agencies such as OCHA, UNDP, UNEP, FAO, UNESCO, UN/ISDR,IFRC, WMO.

Checklist

1. Warnings Respected

Warnings generated and distributed to thoseat risk by credible sources (e.g. government,spiritual leaders, respected communityorganizations).

Public perception of natural hazard risks andthe warning service analysed to predictcommunity responses.

Strategies to build credibility and trust inwarnings developed (e.g. understandingdifference between forecasts and warnings).

False alarms minimised and improvementscommunicated to maintain trust in thewarning system.

2. Disaster Preparedness and ResponsePlans Established

Disaster preparedness and response plansempowered by law.

Disaster preparedness and response planstargeted to the individual needs of vulnerablecommunities.

Hazard and vulnerability maps utilized todevelop emergency preparedness andresponse plans.

Up-to-date emergency preparedness andresponse plans developed, disseminated tothe community, and practiced.

Previous disaster events and responsesanalysed, and lessons learnt incorporatedinto disaster management plans.

Strategies implemented to maintainpreparedness for recurrent hazard events.

Regular tests and drills undertaken to test theeffectiveness of the early warningdissemination processes and responses.

3. Community Response Capacity Assessedand Strengthened

Community ability to respond effectively toearly warnings assessed.

Response to previous disasters analysed andlessons learnt incorporated into futurecapacity building strategies.

Community-focused organizations engagedto assist with capacity building.

Community and volunteer education andtraining programmes developed andimplemented.

4. Public Awareness and EducationEnhanced

Simple information on hazards,vulnerabilities, risks, and how to reducedisaster impacts disseminated to vulnerablecommunities and decision-makers.

Community educated on how warnings will bedisseminated and which sources are reliableand how to respond to different types ofhazards after an early warning message isreceived.

Community trained to recognise simplehydro-meteorological and geophysical hazardsignals to allow immediate response.

On-going public awareness and educationbuilt in to school curricula from primaryschools to university.

Mass media and folk or alternative mediautilized to improve public awareness.

Public awareness and education campaignstailored to the specific need of each audience(e.g. children, emergency managers, media).

Public awareness strategies and programmesevaluated at least once per year and updatedwhere required.

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Cross-Cutting Issue: GOVERNANCE AND INSTITUTIONALARRANGEMENTS

Aim: Develop institutional, legislative and policy frameworks that support the implementation andmaintenance of effective early warning systems.

Key ActorsPolitical leaders; policy makers (e.g. environment, development and planning departments);international, national and local disaster management agencies; meteorological and hydrologicalorganizations; researchers and academics; non-government organizations; international and UNagencies such as UNDP, UNEP, FAO, UNESCO, UN/ISDR, WMO, World Bank and regionaldevelopment banks, IFRC.

Checklist

1. Early Warning Secured as a Long TermNational and Local Priority

Economic benefits of early warninghighlighted to senior government and politicalleaders using practical methods such as acost-benefit analysis of previous disasters.

Examples and case studies of successfulearly warning systems disseminated to seniorgovernment and political leaders.

Early warning role models or “champions”engaged to advocate early warning andpromote its benefits.

The priority natural hazard risk requiring anearly warning system identified, andoperational arrangements within a multi-hazard framework established.

Early warning integrated into nationaleconomic planning.

2. Legal and Policy Frameworks to SupportEarly Warning Established

National legislation or policies developed toprovide an institutional and legal basis forimplementing early warning systems.

Clear roles and responsibilities defined for allorganizations (government and non-government) involved in early warning.

Overall responsibility and authority forcoordination of early warning assigned to onenational agency.

One political leader or senior governmentofficial empowered by law as the nationaldecision maker.

Policies developed to decentralise disastermanagement and encourage communityparticipation.

Local decision making and implementation ofearly warning systems placed within broaderadministrative and resource capabilities at thenational or regional level.

Regional and cross-border agreementsestablished to ensure early warning systemsare integrated where possible.

Relationships and partnerships between allorganizations involved in early warninginstitutionalised and coordinationmechanisms mandated.

Early warning integrated into disasterreduction and development policies.

Monitoring and enforcement regime in placeto support policies and legislation.

3. Institutional Capacities Assessed andEnhanced

Capacities of all organizations and institutionsinvolved assessed and capacity buildingplans and training programmes developedand resourced.

Non-governmental sector engaged andencouraged to contribute to capacity building.

4. Financial Resources Secured

Government funding mechanism for earlywarning and disaster preparednessdeveloped and institutionalised.

Access to funding at the international orregional level explored.

Public/private partnerships utilised to assistwith early warning system development.

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ACRONYMS LIST

EWC III Third International Conference on Early Warning

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization

IFRC International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

ITU International Telecommunication Union

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat

UN United Nations

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UN/ISDR United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction

UNOSAT United Nations initiative to provide the humanitarian community with access to satelliteimagery and Geographic Information System services

UNU-EHS United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security

PPEW Platform for Promotion of Early Warning

WMO World Meteorological Organization

UN/ISDR Platform for the Promotion of Early Warning (PPEW)Herrmann-Ehlers-Strasse 10D - 53113 BonnGermanyisdr-ppew@un.orgwww.unisdr-earlywarning.org

UN Inter-Agency Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR)Palais des NationsCH - 1211 Geneva 10Switzerlandisdr@un.orgwww.unisdr.org

This document is an outcome of the Third International Conference on Early Warning (EWC III) hosted by the Government of Germany under the auspices of the United Nations, from 27 to 29 March 2006 in Bonn, Germany.

Contact Information

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