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An assessment of Early Warning Systems (EWS) by Practical Action in Nepal and Peru highlights the need to focus on individuals and communities in the design and implementation of these systems. Some 3.3 to 3.6 billion people live in the regions that are most vulnerable to climate change, meaning that their lives and livelihoods are at risk. One part of the solution is EWS, which reduce the risk that climate-related hazards become disasters. To reach the goal of "leaving no one behind", however, EWS must put vulnerable individuals and communities at the heart of their design and implementation.

, a global development charity, has been operational for several decades, also developing . Their approach recognises that a people-centred approach generates the biggest benefits. To review their own work and extract any lessons that can be applied elsewhere, they commissioned focused on their work with vulnerable communities in Nepal and Peru.

Effective Early Warning Systems bring multiple benefits

The assessment shows that by embracing a people-centred approach to EWS, Practical Action has:

• Improved public awareness of disaster risk knowledge and understanding;
• Enhanced communication channels to share more EWS information with more people;
• Improved public understanding of early warning messages;
• Improving monitoring and forecasting to support more timely action;
• Improved planning and preparation to enable more action on early warning messages.

"When we received the messages, we prepared a bag with our essential documents, keeping our food and grains in a safe place where they won't be destroyed. We also help our neighbours by passing on messages and keeping each other safe." - Geeta, female community member, Bardiya District

Recommended approaches to achieve impact

Practical Action's approaches are both community centred and inclusive, regardless of gender, disability or social status. In Nepal, Practical Action has helped to ensure that women account for at least 40 percent of local Community Disaster Management Committees, making their disaster response plans more gender responsive. Practical Action has also supported local governments to draft gender inclusive Local Disaster and Climate Resilience Plans, facilitating local environments that are fairer and more inclusive.

Creating EWSs that are both sustainable and scalable is only possible through effective governance. Recognising this, Practical Action works closely with government stakeholders at every step along the process of developing an EWS. Working like this, Practical Action and other NGOs bridge the gap between community needs and the capacity of national government.

"The main change I think is that we have developed a group of people in civil society, who better understand their risks. In turn, they are now able to make more informed and effective demands on the authorities. I think that's crucial."

- Male staff member, Practical Action Peru

EWSs are more beneficial when local communities trust them. Practical Action has strengthened this community trust by involving respected local figures such as village chiefs in the process of design and implementation. Our teams in Nepal and Peru emphasise that maintaining these high levels of trust requires an ongoing effort and commitment.

Practical Action

There's still more to do

While , there is still plenty of work to be done. The assessment identified several key areas that need attention:

• Be more intentional about reducing gender and other social inequalities. In Peru, for example, youth is not well represented in training and participatory monitoring networks. Practical Action recognizes the need to better understand any gaps in our work and to be more intentional about addressing gender and other social inequalities in our EWS implementation.
• Better understand behaviours. We need to better understand the factors which influence behaviours and decisions. How do we better balance the responsibilities between authorities and communities? How much support should the authorities provide and how much capacity building is needed?
• Integrate EWS into Disaster Risk Management. EWS is vital to minimising losses and damage from climate-related disasters, but it is not a stand-alone solution. We need to better integrate EWS activities and initiatives within a wider strategy on disaster risk reduction. That way, EWS can help to drive wider social change.

Creating a more resilient future

In a world where the climate emergency poses one of the greatest threats ever to humanity, multi-hazard EWSs play a vital role in protecting the most vulnerable communities from the devastating impacts of climate change.

However, this work requires a collaborative approach with the communities that are most at risk, making good use of their local knowledge and recognising their other strengths. While building people's agency, however, support will be needed wherever gaps exist. Designing EWSs together with these communities will require an intentional and strategic approach from the outset. Doing so, however, can help to address the multiple social inequalities that remain in many contexts today.

We can and we must act immediately, if we want to reduce the devastating impacts of climate change. An effective and inclusive EWS is a vital part of the solution that will save the lives and livelihoods of those who find themselves - through no fault of their own - on the front lines of this very global crisis.

Georgia Landray is the Knowledge and Communications Officer for Practical Action's Climate and Resilience Programme. She manages the internal and external communications for the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance, including managing website content and coordinating the production of publications.

Mirianna Budimir is the Senior Climate and Resilience Expert for Practical Action, working across Latin America, Africa and Asia. She is also the EWS Thematic Lead for the multi-organizational Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance programme across fifteen countries.

Dharam Uprety leads Practical Action’s Climate and Resilience programme in Nepal. He works closely with government authorities in Nepal, including drafting the National Strategy for EWS and improving the localization of early warning, and strengthening of impact-based forecasting. 

Miguel Arestegui is the Climate Resilience Lead for Practical Action Latin America office, working across Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. He also coordinates the implementation of the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance programme for the Andean region.

Sarah Begg is the Impact and Evidence Advisor for Practical Action, working across Latin America, Africa and Asia. She is a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning specialist with particular expertise in feminist evaluation approaches.