Early Warning Systems for

Disaster Risk Reduction

Early Warning Systems for

Disaster Risk Reduction• e.g. Bangladesh:

Cyclone 1991 –

138 000 people

killed

Cyclone “Sidr”

2007 – 4 500

people killed

Humanitarian action: The

Landscape

International and National

non-governmental organisations

Red Cross Red Crescent Movement

Governmental & inter-governmental

agencies

Red Cross Red Crescent

Movement

National

Societies

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

The ICRC: Mandate based on seven

principles

• International Humanitarian Law:

development, promotion, work for the

faithful application

• Response: ensure the protection of and

assistance to military and civilian victims

of conflict and other situations of

violence and of their direct results;

Main Activities:

• Protection

Protection of civilians, detainees,

Restoring Family links

• Assistance:

Economic Security

Water and habitat

Health

• Promotion IHL

• Humanitarian Diplomacy

The ICRC: Presence in the Field 2016

• More than 11’000 staff

• More than 250 offices

• In 80 countries

The ICRC and National

Societies: Field of Cooperation

• To strengthen National

Society capacity to act

and provide services in

time of conflict or other

situations of violence

• Collaboration in times of

conflict and violence

The ICRC: Early Warning Systems for

Disaster Risk Reduction

• Response

• Contingency plans

• Contacts with

Local authorities

National Red Cross/ Red Crescent

Local communities

• Contacts with IFRC, UN agency, …

The ICRC: Early Warning Systems for

Disaster Risk Reduction - challanges

• Coordination of different actors:

Authorities

Communities

International organizations

• Transferring (fast) instantaneous the

warning to the concerned people

The ICRC: Early Warning Systems for

Disaster Risk Reduction

• A people-centered approach to make

communities safer

Local people save lives

Well-informed communities save lives

Timely-informed communities save lives

Be prepared

Working together to SAVE LIVES