Early warning systems
From HFA-PEDIA
Within the process of disaster reduction, known in some cases as risk management, early warning systems (EWS) play a crucial role in bringing together institutions from various sectors with diverse backgrounds with the common goal of providing people living in high risk areas with the proper warning so that losses might be minimized in the event of a disaster.
Although advances from one country to the next, or from one region to another can vary drastically, it is well recognized that early warning is an integral part of the efforts in reducing disasters and as such must be understood in the context of disaster preparedness. However, to be effective, early warning must be understood as a process which encompasses not only the forecasting of events both in terms of its timely appearance and geographical span, but also the most effective response by those people who are directly affected by such natural phenomena.
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