The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) launched on 15 May 2023 the flagship Words into Action guide on Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS). The aim of the guide is to provide guidance for governments, and partners on how to institutionalize, operate, monitor, and strengthen people-centered inclusive approaches for effective multi-hazard early warning systems that enable early action. The guide includes content on several topics such as:
- Establishing and sustaining effective and inclusive early warning systems.
- Governance mechanisms for multi-hazard early warning systems.
- Anticipatory action within climate and disaster risk management systems.
- Measuring effectiveness and assessing socio-economic benefits on early warning and anticipatory action.
The publication benefitted from the contributions of UN-SPIDER, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other international and regional organizations. UN-SPIDER introduced notions about the benefits of space technologies in early warning systems, and novel early warning efforts related to Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) implemented by the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG).
This publication is a contribution to the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. More specifically, the guide is meant to contribute to Priority 4: Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
UNDRR is calling for a public review of this guide. More information on this call is available here (https://www.preventionweb.net/news/public-review-words-action-guide-multi-hazard-early-warning-systems).
The guide can be downloaded from this link: https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/words-action-guidelines-multi-hazard-early-warning-systems
