A global review of disaster reduction initiatives - Welcome to the ...

5Living with Risk: A global review of disaster reduction initiativesThe CPP volunteer training and public awarenessprogrammes are central to its success andwell-founded reputation. Public awarenessabout the risks associated with cyclones is conveyedby the volunteers themselves anddemonstrated through drills and demonstrations,dramas and folk songs. Printed materials,the use of films and videos and targetedpublicity campaigns supplement the regularuse of the radio and television media to build acommon understanding of basic elements ofearly warning and cyclone protection behaviour.It is the dedication and tireless efforts of thesevolunteers–and all who support them withtheir understanding, support and respect–thatcontributed to the CPP receiving Thailand’s“Smith Tunsaroch Award” in 1998 in recognitionof the volunteers’ efforts to protect thepeople of Bangladesh.Informal and social networks have been found to reinforcewarning dissemination systems in Mauritius. It appearslikely that small, isolated island communities such as Mauritiushave particularly strong and effective social networks,which considerably help warning dissemination. Informalpersonal and community networks can be highly effectivein disseminating warnings and deserve the right appreciationfrom those issuing formal warnings. They usually benefitfrom an organizational and popular culture in whichpreparation for cyclone and cyclone warning and responseare to some extent embedded.Source: UK Flagship Programme, 1998er, as the main characteristics of the six zoneswere comparable, regional action was possibleat a local level. As pilot zones, they served asexamples that demonstrated the experienceslocal communities had had in applying localdisaster management techniques, supported bynational and regional structures that were competentin the area of disaster reduction. Themain activities implemented during thisprocess were:• Analysis of the zones of risk and of thespecific demands (risk maps, interviews,participatory planning);• Training of the local population in floodfightingmeasures;• Selecting, training and equippingobservers and analysts in the watershed ofthe affected river;• Improving communication capacitiesamong the individuals and institutionsinvolved;• Developing contingency plans and implementingevacuation exercises in the pilotzones.The results of all these efforts in the six pilotzones were early warning systems that work inthe following way. Selected people living in theupper parts of the river regularly measure rainfalland water level. They transmit this informationby radio to a central office in the closestmunicipality where the data collected areanalysed. The centre itself is in communicationwith people in the flood-prone areas. At timesof expected danger, the centre can thus alert thepopulation exposed to risks and can prepare fortheir evacuation, if necessary.268The RELSAT Project (Strengthening of localstructures and early warning systems) wasimplemented in pilot zones in each of the sixCentral American countries between November1998 and December 1999. The project wasfinanced by the European Commission HumanitarianAid Office (ECHO) and realized in thecontext of long-term community-based disasterrisk reduction cooperation betweenCEPREDENAC and the German Agency forTechnical Cooperation (GTZ).The purpose of the project was to establish efficientand reliable early warning systems withregard to floods, tailored to the realities andcapabilities of the selected pilot zones. Howev-In order to be effective, this system requires reliablecommunication and coordination processesamong all actors and the population at risk.Responsibilities have also to be clearly assignedand commitment must be continuous. If theseconditions are met, the early warning systemhelps to reduce substantially the losses and damagescaused by floods and to motivate people totake further action aimed at achieving sustainabledisaster risk reduction for the region.The ongoing work to design an early warningsystem for the Lower Mekong floods undertakenby the Mekong River Commission(MRC) and its member countries (Cambodia,the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thai-