Community early warning systems: guiding principles

The Community early warning systems: guiding principles is one of a set of guides prepared by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), along with the guides for vulnerability and capacity assessment (VCA) and public awareness and public education. It also joins the Disaster response and contingency planning guide to provide a solid toolkit for the disaster risk reduction/management practitioner. In contrast to disaster response mechanisms, early warning is one of many important tools that contribute to the prevention of disasters and preparedness for hazards and threats, of any kind. It greatly enhances disaster risk reduction (DRR). A well-prepared National Society or non-governmental organization (NGO) will understand and promote the role of people-centred early warning systems (EWS) in reducing risk. The policy for disaster preparedness highlights the role of the IFRC and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in advocating for knowledge from “early warning systems [that are] accessed, understood and acted upon by local communities” as part of their contribution to the Hyogo Framework for Action.