UNDRR AND WMO REPORT ON EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS

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TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, a joint report by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) revealed a significant global deficiency in multi-hazard early warning systems.

EXPLANATION:

• Despite progress in mitigating impacts from extreme weather and climate-related crises, half of the world’s countries lack adequate systems for early warnings.

State of Early Warning Systems Worldwide

• The report, released during the UN Climate Meeting (COP28) in Dubai, highlights Africa’s commendable efforts in doubling the coverage of early warning systems.
• However, the continent still falls below the global average.
• Notably, less than half of the Least Developed Countries and a mere 40% of Small Island Developing States possess multi-hazard early warning systems.
• In Arab States, there is a glaring deficiency in risk knowledge crucial for underpinning effective early warning systems.

UN Secretary-General’s Address and Case Studies

• At a high-level event in Dubai, UN Secretary-General presented the “2023 Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems” report to ministers and stakeholders.
• The report emphasizes India’s inadequacies in disaster risk knowledge, management, warning dissemination, and communication.
• However, it acknowledges the country’s preparedness, response capabilities, and detection and forecasting abilities.
• The report cites the flooding in Bangladesh in 2020 and the impact of Cyclone Amphan in India and West Bengal in 2019.
• It attributes mitigated impacts to improved forecasting and the activation of Early Action Protocols.

Progress and Challenges of Early Warnings for All Initiative

• The report evaluates the progress of the Early Warnings for All Initiative, designed to encompass global coverage by 2027.
• Six additional countries have implemented early warning systems, bringing the total to 101, a doubling since 2015.
• UN Secretary-General emphasizes the initiative’s potential to safeguard vulnerable communities and calls for increased support, aiming to double efforts in 2024.

International Support and Funding for Early Warning Systems

• During the report launch, Denmark, Sweden, and France pledged substantial financial support – 6 million Euros, 5 million Euros, and 8 million Euros respectively – toward strengthening early warning systems.
• This funding aims to build on the foundation laid since the initiative’s inception.
• Major Multilateral Development Banks and the Green Climate Fund also committed to scaling up investments in early warning systems.
• Additionally, countries like Maldives, Laos, and Ethiopia have formulated national action plans and coordination structures.
• Benin has improved communication strategies targeting high-risk communities.
• Fiji has fortified its flash flood warning to protect its entire population of nearly 1 million people.

Conclusion: Collaborative Efforts for Enhanced Early Warning Systems

• The report underscores the critical need for improved multi-hazard early warning systems globally.
• It highlights progress made, challenges faced, and the essential role of international cooperation and financial support.
• The commitment of nations and international organizations to fortify these systems is vital in safeguarding vulnerable communities and reducing the impacts of climate-related crises.
• The report signals a path forward for collaborative efforts to achieve comprehensive and effective early warning systems across the globe.

SOURCE: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/half-the-countries-in-world-lack-adequate-multi-hazard-early-warning-systems-report-101701629213134.html