International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction 2022
On International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction, we recognise Early Warning Systems as vital component of Disaster Planning and Preparedness.
Throughout the first five years of Disaster READY, AHP partners have engaged at-risk communities to develop preparedness plans that meet their individual community needs. Our partners are also committed to ensuring that people particularly vulnerable older persons and persons with disabilities are not left behind when warnings are issued.
At-risk Communities are Ready to Act on Early Warning Systems
As we move into next phase of Disaster READY, 324 communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste are equipped with new or updated disaster plans. These plans — informed by local knowledge — have helped at-risk communities understand the potential threats and provide ways to mitigate the risk.
Above: Communities ran evacuation simulations in the Solomon Islands as part of the Disaster READY program.
In the Solomon islands, the Anololo Community went through a series of disaster preparedness trainings under the AHP Disaster READY Project, funded by the Australian Government. With this training the community was able to build mechanisms and tools, and run simulation exercises, to help them prepare for incoming disasters. Here are some of the ways our partners are working to ensure no-one is left behind.
Customized Early Warning Systems
Disaster READY also helps to empower communities across the Pacific and in Timor-Leste to establish Disaster Management Committees. These groups ensure that risks are addressed with local knowledge and early warning systems meet the specific needs of the community.
Above: Community members point to their flood water identification system by the banks of a river in Timor-Leste
In Timor-Leste, community members installed an early warning system at Bebui River to mitigate the risk of loss of lives during rainy season brought by the river through installing water level measurement and river risk reduction billboard. It is used by the Disaster Management Committee to monitor the weather and water level during rainy season.
Empowering Groups with Special Needs
Inclusion is a crucial part of Disaster READY’s role in communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. Over the past five years, Disaster READY partners have engaged local Organisations of People with Disabilities to ensure that voices of people living with disabilities are actively listened during the design and implementation of disaster preparedness planning, including Early Warning Systems.
Above: Voices of people living with disabilities are heard so that Disaster READY preparedness designs are inclusive and accessible to all.
In Vanuatu, Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Officer Freda meets with and Oxfam’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Sairos to discuss promoting the rights of People With Disabilities during disaster, preparedness, and recovery in Vanuatu.