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By Anouck Adrot (Université Paris-Dauphine PSL) and Mercedes Aguerre (Croix Rouge Française)

Cross-border data sharing strengthens disaster preparedness through increased collaboration, optimized resource use, advanced research, and addressing regional challenges. In this context, data ecosystems have emerged as valuable tools to foster information exchange within organizational networks in disaster risk management.

This blog, based on recent research from Paris Dauphine University and the French Red Cross, examines how data ecosystems can improve cross-border disaster preparedness. It explores relevant data ecosystem applications, barriers to implementation, and potential solutions for more effective systems supporting disaster risk reduction.

The French Red Cross is committed to collaborating with communities, authorities, and stakeholders to promote holistic disaster risk reduction practices. Recognizing the importance of partnerships, especially with academia, the organization has proactively forged ties with the University Paris Dauphine PSL's Master of Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies program. This mutually beneficial partnership enables master's students to gain practical experience through joint research projects meeting French Red Cross needs. The collaborative research design involves a researcher, master's students, and a practitioner working closely together from start to finish. Ultimately, by tapping academic insights, the goal is to advance resilience-building disaster preparedness in at-risk communities.

Data ecosystems as a driver of cross-border cooperation

Our recently published research study aims to better understand how a data ecosystem can support cross-border organizations in reducing disaster risk. Today, data ecosystems represent valuable tools to produce, share and integrate information between disaster management organizations in both development and emergency contexts. A data ecosystem is a collaborative network of organizations and actors that interact to produce, share, and consume data sets and services. This collective effort involves various entities, including private companies, communities of practice, nonprofits and international agencies working together to share critical data sets and services.

A relevant example of a humanitarian data ecosystem is the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT). Created via OpenStreetMap, HOT aims to enhance accessibility to diverse humanitarian data types. It serves as a platform bringing together different organizations to leverage data sharing and analysis opportunities. Some of the data sets on HOT originate from UN bodies and the Red Cross network. Its governance includes corporate entities like Google, the World Bank, as well as academic institutions.

Data ecosystems offer critical benefits for disaster management by facilitating cross-organizational information exchange, collaborative tracking of population movements, and risk mitigation around disasters like floods and droughts. In addition to these tangible advantages, they strengthen social connections through increased networking and resource sharing within the humanitarian sector.

Our literature review finds that data ecosystems can significantly bolster disaster risk reduction across borders. First, inter-organizational networks and central data hubs improve situational awareness. Second, data ecosystems promote the development of shared protocols, creating synergies around disaster preparedness. Finally, a collaborative data ecosystem serves as a unifying goal for cross-border cooperation, overcoming conflicts of interest and sustaining local commitment. This demonstrates the strong potential of data ecosystems to drive more effective cross-border cooperation.

DRR data ecosystem in practice

Through a retrospective analysis of data exchanges during the 2020 Roya Valley floods, our study employed a visioning methodology to explore how a data ecosystem can help mitigate risks in practice. Our goal was to generate practical knowledge that could help the emergency response community better leverage data ecosystems for current and future disaster preparation and relief efforts.

The storm Alex took place between 2 and 7 October 2020 in the valleys of the Vésubie, Roya and Tinée rivers in south-eastern France, northern Italy and central Europe. Between 250 mm and 500 mm of rain fall locally in 12 hours leaving at least:

• 19 dead (8 in Italy, 8 in France, 1 in Austria, Poland and Czech Republic) and 12 missing (11 in France a 1 in Italy)
• Hundreds of homes, along with bridges and roads, destroyed.
• Outages of power, telecommunication and water supplies occurred due to fallen trees.
• Rail service was cut off.

Based on insights from the Roya Valley response, we envisioned a fictitious cross-border data ecosystem, represented in Figure 1. This ecosystem would enable key disaster response actors, including core stakeholders and peripheral supporting organizations, to collaborate around shared data and services. A nonprofit entity we called “Novadata” governs ecosystem operations, under the supervision of its founders. Novadata drives the production of data services based on public and semi-public data. The vision methodology explains how the governance of the ecosystem can regulate the challenges identified in the literature and in empirical data.

Novadata’s mission includes designing processes to include organizations in the ecosystem and define their data rights. It is also responsible for keeping the data sets and services consistent over time through the creation of glossaries and processes to update the data, as well as monitoring the flow of data entered and shared between the various actors involved in the ecosystem.

This governance approach addresses the known drivers and challenges in building a cross-border data ecosystem in the emergency preparedness field. Firstly, not all the organizations in the ecosystem would share the same informational needs. Secondly, these informational needs vary over time. To address this, Novadata structures its services into Task Forces - each focusing on a specific use case shared by ecosystem partners. By combining and analyzing relevant underutilized semi-public data sources, the Task Forces can produce tailored services including:

• The production and normalization of data sets
• The production and access to outputs from data sets (including visuals, graphs, maps, etc.)
• The training and brainstorming sessions
• The documentation of services and how to use them. The task force also aims at promoting data culture to address heterogeneous levels of expertise and familiarity with data across organizations.

Navigating Challenges of Cross-Border Data Ecosystems

Implementing cross-border data ecosystems for disaster risk reduction (DRR) comes with inherent complexities spanning technological, organizational and governance spheres. Key challenges include ensuring data quality, establishing interoperability standards, addressing privacy and security issues, defining governance structures and overcoming cultural resistance.

Moreover, data ecosystems for cross-border DRR imply additional uncertainties. They require various areas of expertise, including server administration, programming, data analysis, visualization, safety protocols and more. Since one organization may not have all this capability, ecosystem expansion would be needed to incorporate new experts and companies – actors potentially unfamiliar with the reality of cross-border DRR.

The premise of data ecosystems relies on a willingness to share data openly, which organizations may resist due to commercial sensitivities, differing priorities or general secrecy. This highlights how partners may not share common interests regarding data. Data ecosystems also require complex governance planning to fund and maintain data services, literacy and sets. Finally, cross border cooperation is influenced by distinct cultural, political and economic realities on each side, shaping priorities. This can create divergent interests and potential conflicts despite the shared goal of cross-border DRR.

Representatives from the French Red Cross, Monaco Red Cross, local authorities, and community members joining forces in the aftermath of Storm Alex's devastating Roya Valley floods in 2020.

In essence, data ecosystems represent a promising but uncertain avenue to support disaster risk reduction (DRR) across borders. While offering potential benefits, cross-border DRR data ecosystems surface a set of inherent social, technical and organizational uncertainties that warrant consideration for effective implementation. 

Before committing to cross-border data ecosystems, organizations should seek to deeply understand them from a socio-technical perspective. Tackling these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that involves technological solutions, robust governance frameworks and a commitment to ethical practices. It involves fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency and continuous improvement within the data ecosystem.

The role of Research in Cross-Border Data Ecosystems

This research aims to make two key contributions. First, it seeks to advance knowledge on data ecosystems in cross-border organizational contexts. Despite growing research on data ecosystems in general, there remains limited insight into the unique dynamics of sharing data across borders. This study provides an initial framework for conceptualizing and examining potential future cross-border data ecosystems.

The second contribution stems from the practical application of the visioning method. By facilitating collaborative, forward-thinking conversations, this research helped organizations reflect on the inherent opportunities and risks of cross-border data sharing. It is hoped that by leveraging these scientific concepts and approaches, organizations can maximize the value derived from data exchange across borders.

Ultimately, research plays an instrumental role in enabling effective disaster preparedness and response through cross-border data ecosystems. It lays the groundwork for evidence-based practices, enhanced cooperation, and continuous improvement. Moreover, research is essential for realizing the full potential of data sharing, offering vital perspectives to inform decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen collective action. Investing in research represents a strategic priority for developing more resilient transnational communities.

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At the forefront of building resilient communities, the Hong Kong Red Cross (Branch of Red Cross Society of China) is leading exciting disaster preparedness and risk reduction initiatives from local to international levels. Notably, its nature-based solutions work has garnered widespread recognition for its impact and fostering diverse grassroots collaboration. In this DRM Practitioner Spotlight interview, Eva Y W Yeung, Senior Manager of Community Resilience Service at the Hong Kong Red Cross, shares about the organization's holistic approach to preparedness and disaster risk reduction (DRR), which seamlessly integrates traditional nature-based methods with cutting-edge technologies. Discover how the Red Cross empowers vulnerable communities in Hong Kong and beyond to build resilience in the face of crises and disasters.

The Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) invites disaster risk management practitioners from the RCRC Network to be featured in the Practitioner Spotlight series. This platform showcases impactful work in disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and climate change adaptation across the Network. If you are part of the Red Cross Red Crescent and wish to showcase your work, please contact us at gdpc@redcross.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

Overview of Work

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your current role at the Hong Kong Red Cross?

With nearly 20 years of experience in disaster preparedness, relief, and a passion for promoting participatory development and community resilience, I currently work as the Community Resilience Senior Manager at the Hong Kong Red Cross, a Branch of the Red Cross Society of China. Although my professional journey began in logistics at a global beverage company after graduating from business school, my true calling led me to development work within the international NGO sector, eventually joining the Red Cross Movement.

Throughout my career, I have significantly contributed to the development of community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) and community resilience (CR) programs, including increasing the adaptation of community engagement and participation concepts through programming in Mainland China and Hong Kong. This work involved developing program frameworks contextualized to the characteristics of local communities and promoting these through training curricula and materials to strengthen the capacity of local partners, communities, and institutions for enhancing disaster preparedness mechanisms.

Bringing almost two decades of experience in disaster preparedness and relief, Eva Yeung works as the Community Resilience Senior Manager at the Hong Kong Red Cross, a branch of the Red Cross Society of China.

Over the past few years, I have placed a special emphasis on enhancing resilience in high-risk areas of Hong Kong. By integrating international and local experiences, I have examined comprehensive strategies for resilient communities. One notable initiative involves introducing nature-based solutions for disaster risk mitigation in local communities, aiming to mitigate the impact of climate disasters on vulnerable populations. These projects have incorporated the potential of natural ecosystems and the power of community collaboration into disaster reduction strategies, addressing the unique challenges faced by high-risk areas in Hong Kong.

Tell us more about the work the Hong Kong Red Cross does in terms of disaster preparedness and risk reduction?

The Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) has dedicated teams working on disaster preparedness across various levels, ranging from local services to operations in Mainland China and international work. Our work encompasses a broad spectrum of activities tailored to different localities.
For example, at the local level, our efforts span from community-based projects focused on climate resilience and disaster risk reduction in high-risk areas to education and public awareness programs targeting the general population. These initiatives aim to build preparedness and enhance resilience within vulnerable communities.

At the institutional level, the HKRC has established robust institutional preparedness mechanisms to help respond effectively to emergency situations. This includes the formation of surge capacities and the development of comprehensive business continuity plans, ensuring operational readiness and service continuity during crises.

Joining forces with the local organization and community disaster preparedness team in Tai O to repair a historical bridge in this flood-prone Hong Kong community (January 2024).

What current project or initiative do you find especially exciting or impactful? What makes it so?

The disaster risk reduction initiative of building a living shoreline in one of Hong Kong’s coastal areas is an interesting project that showcases the power of collaboration among community stakeholders, technical expertise, and community members. We have implemented the nature-based solution of building oyster castles underwater to mitigate wave force and reduce flooding risks. This solution not only serves as a flood mitigation measure but also provides a living habitat for marine life and enlaces biodiversity. What makes this initiative particularly exciting is the long-term commitment required to trial its sustainability. It involves not only the physical installation of the oyster castles but also the crucial aspect of encouraging continuous community participation.

Want to learn more about nature-based solutions?

Explore our specialized microsite, offering a collection of resources, case studies, training, and other materials focused on incorporating nature into Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

Learn More

At-Risk Communities

What are the main challenges that the communities and individuals you work with face when it comes to disaster preparedness?

Awareness of potential risks and being equipped with relevant skills and tools are crucial for communities. One of the significant challenges identified is the lack of a centralized and easily accessible platform that consolidates risk information. The availability of such consolidated risk information is vital for communities to understand the potential threats they may face and develop appropriate preparedness strategies.

How well prepared are communities to meet these challenges? In your view, what could equip them better and strengthen their resilience?

Forming local community-led groups and providing training and tools is one of the key initiatives we suggest in our programs. To facilitate the dissemination of risk information and disaster preparedness knowledge, we have developed a mobile application that offers this critical information. To enhance the information flow, now we are collaborating with stakeholders to create an interactive web platform for improved risk and capacity mapping.

Presenting the climate-smart community resilience project for residents of sub-divided units at the HSBC Leadership Programme in May 2023, showcasing innovative solutions for vulnerable communities.

Sub-divided units (SDUs) in Hong Kong refer to the subdivision of a flat into multiple individual rooms, often leading to issues like tiny spaces, fire hazards, structural problems, and poor hygiene. The Hong Kong Red Cross works with SDU residents to enhance their resilience and ability to face life's challenges. Learn more in this story: Collaborative Partnership – Services Providers and Service Users.

Impact and Priorities

Do you have any recent achievements or successes that you’d like to share with the rest of us? In your opinion, what helped achieve this success?

Our Building a Living Shoreline disaster risk reduction project has been awarded the Outstanding Collaboration Award by the Agency for Volunteer Service, an external NGO, in 2023. This recognition highlights the project's effective involvement of diverse stakeholders, including the community team, schools, religious groups, local organizations, and technical groups, who contributed significantly to the success of DRR impact in the flood-prone community in Hong Kong.

In my opinion, the key factors that contributed to this achievement were the commitment and invaluable contributions of all the stakeholders involved, as well as our dedicated team.

The Building a Living Shoreline Project was awarded the Outstanding Collaboration Service Award in January 2024, in recognition of its exceptional collaborative efforts.

What are one or two top priorities for your team in the next 1-2 years when it comes to preparedness and risk reduction? More broadly, what do you think some of the key priorities should be for our country or globally in this area?

Public awareness is one of our priority service areas. Currently, we are utilizing various online platforms and virtual reality (VR) tools for general DRR education. However, I see the need to further strengthen the application of interactive tools, including immersive technologies, in the coming years to create more engaging and effective learning experiences. To achieve this, we are establishing collaborations with academic institutions conducting research in immersive technologies and promoting their use in DRR.

What advice or a lesson from your experience would you give to colleagues in other National Societies working in this space?

Within each National Society, there exists a diverse range of resources, including technical expertise, networks, funding sources, and a dedicated volunteer base. One of the key roles of the Red Cross is to identify specific needs and effectively coordinate these various resources to formulate comprehensive solutions. Engaging youth and tapping into their innovative ideas can be particularly interesting and impactful in addressing complex challenges.

Presenting Hong Kond Red Cross’ green initiatives the prestigious East Asia Leadership Forum in July 2023, promoting sustainable practices on a regional scale.

What connections or collaborations outside your National Society have been most useful?

Our partnership with a group of technical professions and scholars from other organizations and universities has provided us a lot of opportunities to expand the impact of our service to wide range of the public. These partnerships have allowed us to leverage diverse expertise and create synergies that amplify our efforts to serve a wider range of the public.

Are you interested in showcasing your work in disaster preparedness and risk reduction through our Practitioner Spotlight series? Please reach out to us at gdpc@redcross.org, and we'll be happy to collaborate with you in highlighting your valuable work for the entire Red Cross Red Crescent Network.

The post From Oyster Castles to Virtual Reality: Hong Kong Red Cross’ Innovative Approach to Building Resilience appeared first on PrepareCenter.

2023 was officially named the hottest year on record, marked by scorching heat waves across the globe. With heat waves projected to increase in both frequency and intensity, preparedness and risk reduction become more crucial to mitigate impacts and save lives. The Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) asked Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) National Societies to reflect on their response to 2023 heat waves and share lessons learned to better prepare for future extreme heat events.

This case study explores the preparedness and response efforts by the Mexican Red Cross (Cruz Roja Mexicana) during the 2023 heat waves where temperatures climbed close to 50°C (122°F) in parts of the country. The focus is on showcasing effective strategies and drawing insights from their activities to improve preparedness for future heatwaves.

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Context

Climate change is intensifying heat waves in Mexico, with more frequent and prolonged events. Just in the first 8 months of 2023, Mexico experienced five heatwaves. The July heat wave proved exceptionally severe as it coincided with the canícula (“dog days” in English) - the hot, dry period from July to August with less rain and clouds, resulting in intense sun exposure during the long summer days. This scorching heat wave affected most of Mexico, with temperatures hitting 49°C (120°F) near the northern border and a blistering 56.1°C (133°F) in southern states.

Mexico's National Meteorological Service (SMN) issued emergency warnings in over half of the country's states due to scarce rainfall and extreme heat. The prolonged heat waves exacted a steep human cost, with 249 heat-related deaths reported in the first seven months of 2023. In connection with the high temperatures, Mexico also saw an unusual increase in adverse weather events, including 89 forest fires which surpassed the previous record of 87 in 2022.

The state of Sonora was especially hard-hit, accounting for 47% of total heatwave fatalities nationwide. Despite being a northern state, Sonora lies in the arid Sonoran Desert. Sonora's arid climate and desert geography worsened the extreme heat, leading to the highest death rate from heatwaves in Mexico.

This extreme heat event disrupted agricultural cycles, posed severe public health risks from heat stroke and dehydration, strained energy grids struggling to meet spiking demand, and caused significant economic losses. Specific adverse impacts included electrical grid blackouts, loss of commerce and perishable goods, loss of crops, and cattle deaths due to lack of water in the dry season.

In rural areas, one adaptation introduced was shifting work schedules to avoid the hottest and most dangerous times of the day. Workers began at 4:00 AM, paused at noon when temperatures peaked, and finished in the early evening when the heat had subsided. Densely populated urban areas faced greater challenges replicating these schedule changes. Many office jobs and industries in cities operate on less flexible timelines which are not as conducive to midday breaks. As such, rural agricultural communities proved better equipped to adjust daily rhythms during the heat waves, while urban centers struggled to enact similar preventative measures on a broad scale.

The Mexican Red Cross Response

Adapting Heatwave Response to Local Needs: The Mexican Red Cross’ Decentralized Approach

The Mexican Red Cross has a strong presence nationwide with over 550 offices, 30 hospitals and 11 blood banks distributed across the country. One of their most recognizable assets is their emergency response team structure, which is seen as an international model for disaster response and rescue efforts. Red Cross delegations in each state have the autonomy to develop strategies tailored to local needs and events. The development of specific response strategies for each state is supported by data and updates that are regularly collected at the Mexican Red Cross’ national headquarters, and include information like service demand, complexity, correlated weather events among others. Given Mexico's diverse geographical regions and ecosystems, as well as varied regional cultures, the decentralized approach and tailored made response strategies across different states proved effective in responding to the five heat waves in 2023.

According to Beatriz Romanis Beltran, Disaster Risk Reduction Program volunteer, "This year's heatwaves were more intense. We worked closely with communities as many modified work and school hours in response, with some schools even reverting to online teaching and cancelling outdoor activities." She explained that local governments made the initial decisions on response measures, which were used by Red Cross state delegations to craft complementary response plans.

A key advantage of these localized strategies was the ability to target specific populations and needs. For example, in the states of Edomex (Estado de México) and Tamaulipas the Red Cross launched public awareness campaigns on social media, radio and television to educate people on recognizing heat exhaustion and staying hydrated. In addition to campaigns, the delegations in the states of Baja California and Yucatan also focused on equipping public areas to promote hydration and safety. This included installing drinking fountains and shade shelters in parks and recreation sites, as well as assisting schools in modifying schedules to avoid the highest risk heat hours.

Mexican Red Cross social media awareness campaign

The 2023 heatwaves took a substantial toll with more heat-related deaths and populations facing increased risks from fires and drought compared to previous years. However, not all viewed the response and mitigation actions positively — particularly children. When the state of Yucatán suspended outdoor school activities and kept children indoors for recess during heatwaves, many perceived it as disciplinary “punishment” resulting in missing out on playtime and outdoor freedom. According to Red Cross volunteers assisting schools, this view persisted even after public awareness campaigns explained the policy was meant for safety amid the dangerous heat.

Towards Proactive Heatwave Preparedness

While response efforts have been robust, the Mexican Red Cross acknowledges the need for improved heatwave preparedness strategies, according to Brenda Avila Flores of the National Program for Disaster Risk Reduction. "Right now, our discussions are reactionary," explained Avila Flores. "We talk hurricanes during hurricanes, and floods during floods. But with five heatwaves this year, it's imperative that we shift our focus to proactively discussing heatwaves. We're initiating national-level cooperation specifically geared towards addressing the challenges posed by heatwaves."

The Mexican Red Cross has a long history of collaboration with government agencies on disaster management, including the National Disaster Prevention Center, Environment and Natural Resources Department, National Water Commission, and National Weather Service. For example, the Red Cross was a key stakeholder in supporting the development of the National Climate Change Strategy adopted in 2021. The new strategy initiated more robust disaster mapping of high-risk areas prone to threats like hurricanes and earthquakes. However, being often invisible hazards, heat wave risks were not included in the strategy originally, but were added later as the adverse impacts became clearer.

A key challenge faced is the perception of the Red Cross as a first responder rather than a preparedness actor, according to Avila Flores of the National Disaster Risk Reduction program. “Communities recognize us for helping after disasters, but we need to build their resilience before events occur. A great example of our risk reduction efforts is the Zurich Flood Resilience project, which focuses on floods,"  Flores explained.

Red Cross volunteers attend a workshop on heat waves in the San Luis Potosí delegation.

Photo Credit: Mexican Red Cross

In addition to aiding national-level policy design and planning, the Mexican Red Cross created its own internal heat wave strategy. According to Beatriz Romanis, increased coordination is needed between preparedness and response strategies. "Now that the National Climate Strategy was created, we need to integrate our initiatives, so they are structured as comprehensive strategies rather than isolated reactions to events happening on an ad hoc basis," Romanis explained. She advocates for developing coordinated preparedness plans to match existing response capacities, allowing for more complete and proactive community services. Through these internal and external steps, the Mexican Red Cross seeks to raise the perception of heat waves as a priority within the country’s diverse risk landscape.

During 2023, the Mexican Red Cross dedicated efforts to improve heatwave preparedness. This included designating Gabriel Reyes, from the Disaster Risk Reduction Program, to serve as the point of contact person responsible for monitoring public heatwave alerts and relevant information. In this role, Reyes coordinated with other Red Cross teams and followed up with regional delegations on appropriate actions when extreme heat were forecasted. These actions involved distributing educational materials, safety information, or other customized resources as needed in each state.

The Cancun delegation of the Mexican Red Cross discusses heat-related medical emergencies in the city. Delegation Director Amilcar Galaviz elaborates on extreme heat risks in the Yucatan and prevention measures citizens can take during daylight hours.

Key good practices

Customized Regional Planning

Enabling regional delegations to create a tailored heatwave response plan according to local requirements. This on-demand approach allows flexibility based on each state's needs.

Youth Education Initiatives

Bringing preparedness campaigns to schools, where volunteers educate children and teens on heat safety, recognizing heatstroke symptoms, and response.

Public Awareness Partnerships

Working in coordination with government agencies to provide safety information and care resources in public spaces during heatwaves.

Key Lessons Learned

Expanding Visibility of Preparedness Work

The Mexican Red Cross has strong recognition for response capacity and prehospital care during disasters. However, prevention and preparedness efforts are newer and require further outreach in communities.

Train Volunteers in Preparedness

Limitations in volunteer availability and training cause extra burden for some states facing simultaneous extreme weather events, overloading their response capacity. While volunteer teams are very well trained in response, they require additional training in preparedness and prevention.

International Cooperation

Maintain strategic relationships with other National Societies to align prevention and preparedness strategies and efforts. The organization has regular engagement with the American Red Cross and Colombian Red Cross focused specifically on collaborating and sharing lessons learned around preparedness and climate resilience.

As 2023 was the warmest year on record globally, projections indicate 2024 may surpass it, increasing the likelihood of longer and more severe heatwaves. By studying other Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' efforts during extreme heat events, we can adapt best practices to improve our own preparedness for the coming summer and future years.

This is especially crucial for heatwaves. Despite being among the deadliest natural hazards, their negative impact can largely be prevented with the right preparedness and risk reduction measures in place. By learning from peer National Societies, we can fine-tune our systems to face the challenges ahead while sharing best practices across our global network.

Written by: Adriana Mangones | Edited by: Vladislav Kavaleuski

The post Navigating the “dog days:” Experience of the Mexican Red Cross during 2023 heatwaves appeared first on PrepareCenter.

Phone Surveys and Social Listening: A Foundation for Effective Communication

Telephone surveys are an important tool for social listening as they provide direct insights from people affected by health crises. This method makes it possible to gather detailed feedback on people’s perceptions, behaviours, and challenges during such emergencies. Through dialogue with those affected, support organisations can gain a deeper understanding of the needs of the community and thus make their interventions and communication efforts more effective.

The experiment: Simulation of a telephone survey with AI

To explore the impact of AI on analysing telephone survey data, I ran a simulation centred around a cholera outbreak scenario. Using ChatGPT, I created a realistic dialogue between an interviewer and an affected person, formulating questions and answers that reflect the complexity of real interactions.

After creating this dialogue, I used PlayHT, a text-to-speech conversion platform, to convert the written script into an audio file. Although the synthesised voices could not fully capture the emotional depth of a real conversation, they provided a clear and understandable rendition of the survey.

Analysing the conversation with Looppanel

The audio file was then analysed using Looppanel, an AI platform known for its ability to process and extract insights from audio and video content. Looppanel’s algorithms efficiently identified key points and emotional nuances within the conversation, demonstrating the potential of AI to streamline data analysis in the context of medical emergencies.

Benefits of AI for crisis and emergency management

The use of AI in analysing telephone survey data offers several advantages:

• No detail is missed: AI technology captures essential information from conversations and prevents critical details from being overlooked.
• Resource optimisation: By automating the analysis process, AI allows analysts to focus on strategic decisions and interventions.
• Fast and informed responses: Thanks to the speed and accuracy of AI, organisations can adjust their strategies based on real-time insights, improving the effectiveness of healthcare interventions.
• Building trust with communities:Fast and accurate analyses foster trust between health authorities and the communities they serve by demonstrating an efficient and responsive approach to managing health crises.

A note of caution

It is important to emphasise that this experiment was conducted using publicly available and non-expertly trained tools and platforms. While the results show the promising potential of AI in analysing health data, further testing and research are needed to fully understand the capabilities and limitations of AI.

This exploration of the use of AI to analyse telephone survey data in health emergencies highlights the potential of the technology to revolutionise our approach to crisis management. By providing organisations with fast and accurate insights, AI can significantly improve the effectiveness of emergency response. However, as with any new technology, a cautious and rigorous approach to trialling and implementation is essential to ensuring that its application is both useful and ethical.

The post Use of AI in health emergencies: Insights from a simulated telephone survey appeared first on PrepareCenter.

Warming oceans and the El Nino phenomenon have caused some storms to gain strength far more rapidly than predicted. When communities are caught off-guard, the results can be devastating. More investment in forecasting, early warning, preparation — and an assist from artificial intelligence — are parts of the solution.

An interview with Juan Bazo, climate scientist with the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, by Susana Arroyo Barrantes, IFRC Americas Regional Communications Manager. Originally published on the IFRC website.

Susana Arroyo: In October 2023, Hurricane Otis caused a lot of astonishment after it went from a tropical storm to a category 5 hurricane in just 12 hours. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, it was the most powerful hurricane ever recorded on the Mexican Pacific coast. Did El Niño have something to do with the rapid intensification of Otis?

Juan Bazos: It was a combination of warm oceans, along with El Niño. In addition, the entire Pacific coastline of Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and the coasts of Costa Rica, have been very warm. This has allowed the formation of cyclones and storms. Some of these storms have even passed from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Regarding the intensification, this has happened before, Hurricane Patricia in 2015, also had this very rapid intensification in less than 12 hours off the Pacific coast of Mexico, but the impact was not in a very populated area.

For a scientific point of view, it is increasingly difficult to forecast this type of intensification. Most, if not all, of the models failed in the short-term forecast, which is one of the most reliable forecasts we have in meteorology. This is due to several factors: the rapid intensification, very local atmospheric conditions, and the temperature of the ocean water in this part of the Mexican coast.

Increasingly, intensification is not only occurring in the Pacific and Atlantic of our region, but also in the Indian Ocean. In The Philippines, this has happened many times. That is a challenge, both for the climate services and for the humanitarian response.

Satellite image of hurricane Otis developing off the coast of Mexico. Photo: Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (CSU/CIRA & NOAA)

SA: One thing we depend on to make life-saving decisions is rigorous, accurate, effective forecasts. If we are moving towards an era of greater uncertainty, then we must also look at how we anticipate on other fronts. What can we expect for this year?

JB: In the following months, we would normally be entering a neutral period and quickly passing to La Niña phenomenon. And this will also bring its consequences, changing the whole panorama. It could be that this year we will have to prepare for a hurricane season that may be higher than normal. So, we must keep monitoring, considering the climate crisis and the Atlantic Ocean that is still very warm.

SA: The IFRC has tried to make more alliances with meteorological institutions dedicated to researching, monitoring, and understanding the climate. Is that one of the paths to the future, to strengthen this alliance?

JB: Increasingly, the IFRC has scientific technical entities as its main allies, to make reliable decisions, and I think that is the way we must continue to work. Scientific information will bring us information for our programs and operations at different time scales, in the short, medium, and long term. We must not ignore climate projections but plan how we can adapt knowing that the climate is going to change. This is part of our work, from our policies to our interventions and I think the Red Cross and Red Crescent network does this very well.

However, we need to empower ourselves more, get closer to the technical scientific entities, the academia, which are our allies. They can bring us much more information — much richer, much more localized. And this is the next step we must take.

SA: Many changes are also coming in the field of meteorology. Now, using artificial intelligence (AI) and increasingly large amounts of data, there will be changes and likely improvements in forecasting. Could we therefore get more reliable forecasts in terms of rapid intensification?

JB: Artificial Intelligence opens a lot of room for innovation. Meteorology is not 100 per cent accurate. There is always that degree of uncertainty and there are going to be failures. It is part of our planet's atmospheric chaos, of its complexity and the many variables that play a role in weather forecasting. In that sense, AI will be a great added value for the improvement of forecasts.

This brings to the table the need for 1) greater investment in forecast-based early action systems, 2) early warning systems that are more agile, flexible, and capable of informing and mobilizing the population in record time, and 3) humanitarian aid that is pre-positioned to respond to disasters as they occur.

The post Climate crises Q&A: Why have some recent storms gained so much strength, so quickly? appeared first on PrepareCenter.

2023 was officially named the hottest year on record, marked by scorching heatwaves across the globe. As the frequency and intensity of heatwaves are projected to rise, it is crucial to prepare and reduce risks to save lives. The Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) asked National Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Societies to reflect on their response to 2023 heatwaves and share lessons learned to better prepare for future extreme heat events.

This case study explores the preparedness and response efforts by the Italian Red Cross (Croce Rossa Italiana) during the 2023 heatwaves, which pushed temperatures as high as 48.8°C (118.4°F). The focus is on showcasing effective response strategies and drawing insights from the lessons learned to improve preparedness for future heatwaves.

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In July 2023, Italy and southern Europe experienced a heatwave, with temperatures first reaching 38°C (100°F). The heatwave was caused by an anticyclone named Cerberus, followed by a more intense one called Caronte, sending temperatures above 40°C (104°F) in central and southern regions, with peaks of 48°C (118.4) in Sicily and Sardinia.

The heatwaves were unofficially named named by the Italian weather website iLMeteo after mythological creatures: “Cerberus,” the three-headed dog that guarded the gates of the underworld, and “Caronte” (Charon in English), the ferryman of the underworld. iLMeteo has been using mythological references to name high-pressure regions causing extreme heat in Europe since 2017, stating it helps alert the public about the risks and dangers of heatwaves.

Atmospheric conditions, less cloud cover, and longer days during summer months lead to increased heat exposure and maximize threats. This affects vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and pregnant women, in particular. Heat waves increase pressure on health services and can also spark wildfires and environmental risks. 

Early reported victims of Cerberus and Caronte included a 44-year-old worker in Lodi, outside Milan, who collapsed due to heat stress. Six men died from heat stroke in the middle of their workday in the same region. In Rome, tourists collapsed on their way to the Colosseum. Cities like Cagliari, Palermo, Florence, and Bologna warned people to avoid the sun from 11 AM to 6 PM.  

In 2022, Italy had one of Europe’s highest heat-related death rates, with over 18,000 fatalities attributed to heatwaves per a study in Nature. The heatwaves disproportionately affected age groups 65-79+ years and caused 56% more heat-related deaths among women in those age groups. 

The Italian Red Cross Actions

“10 Commandments” for Coping with Extreme Heat

Since July 10th 2023, when the early summer heatwave began affecting parts of Italy, the the Italian Red Cross re-launched the Effetto Terra (Earth Effect) information campaign in partnership with other organizations. This served to raise awareness about the danger of extreme heat and good practices for mitigating risks. 

Originally launched in 2021, the Effetto Terra campaign focused more broadly on improving the public understanding of climate change adaptation and mitigation. However, given the pressing urgency of extreme summer heat episodes, the campaign was adapted to focus on preparedness and response to heatwaves. 

As part of this awareness-raising campaign, the Italian Red Cross published an updated decalogue outlining 10 key tips or “commandments” for coping with heatwaves, focusing especially on vulnerable groups. The campaign used traditional media like television and radio, digital platforms and social media channels to share information. Other actions included organizing flash mobs where Red Cross volunteers directly engaged the public by distributing informative flyers and materials. Local branches also provided direct support to vulnerable families and individuals, such as supplying items to help cool down houses.

The Italian Red Cross published a new decalogue with 10 tips tailored for vulnerable groups on how best to cope with extreme high temperatures.

English version: Italian RC Decalogue on Responding to Heat Waves

1. Go out only during the coolest hours of the day and if possible frequent parks and tree-lined areas. The presence of vegetation lowers the temperature by several degrees.
2. If you leave the house, bring a water bottle with you and check that there are drinking fountains along the route. There are many apps that can help you find them.
3. Always carry a hat and sunscreen with you.
4. In the heat the body needs fewer calories. Eat small and light meals, prefer fruit and vegetables. A good diet for heat and for the planet.
5. If you don't have an air conditioner or want to limit its use keep the rooms in your home cool by keeping windows and shutters closed during the day and open in the evening. If you use air conditioner, do not exceed 5 degrees of difference with the outside temperature. On the other hand, if you use a fan, remember not to point it directly at yourself or other people.
6. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic beverages which increase dehydration. Remember that tap or fountain water has a lower environmental impact.
7. Don't neglect clothing. Loose clothing and natural, light-colored fabrics can help you regulate your body temperature.
8. Before travelling, check the weather forecast and prepare in advance.
9. Did you know that women, older people and children are more susceptible to heat waves? Protect them from health risks by following our advice and, when peak temperatures occur, make sure they are comfortable.
10. If you experience any of these symptoms it could be heat stroke: breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, weakness, dizziness or cramps. Seek medical assistance and, in case of emergency, call 112 or 118

The goal of the awareness campaign was to circulate accurate, reliable and evidence-based information so citizens could take preventative actions to avoid heat-related health issues. Messaging also aimed to spur self-reliance and proactive self-care when responding to weather extremes. “People often view the Red Cross as a ‘superhero’ entity that can wave a magic wand and make problems disappear. We need to shift this mindset, so citizens see themselves as empowered ‘first responders’ when crisis hits,” noted Andrea Giovannoni, Head of Emergency Department for the Italian Red Cross.

A Hotline for Support and Companionship

In addition to the 10-point decalogue, the Italian Red Cross also publicized the phone number for its dedicated National Response Call Center hotline (1520). The Center serves as a critical hub that manages calls and connects them with the appropriate regional office for people to receive safety information, request home delivery of essentials like food or medicine, or access to companionship over the phone. The publication of the decalogue was covered by the national media, leading to many calls to the Italian Red Cross Response Center and activating local branches to provide immediate assistance when necessary and possible.

Following hotline requests, the Red Cross branches provided services including home grocery and medication delivery for older people who were unable to go outside due to high temperatures, roundtrip ambulance transportation for members of the community in need, and information to help identify the symptoms of dangerous heat-related medical emergencies. The hotline played a dual role, offering services to the public and serving as an internal communication channel for the Red Cross to collect and share real-time information about community needs with local branches.

CRI Volunteers in Central and Southern Italy work with vulnerable homeless citizens to attend to their needs during the heatwaves.

CRI Volunteers in Central and Southern Italy work with vulnerable homeless citizens to attend to their needs during the heatwaves.

Valerio Mattia, a coordinator for the National Response Center in the Italian Red Cross, highlighted the companionship phone-in program as a key measure to address the needs of high-risk people.

“Many senior citizens across Italy are impacted by loneliness and lack of social contact,” said Mattia. “Simultaneously, this demographic often bears the most severe health consequences when extreme temperatures hit. By providing a caring voice, answering questions, and sharing heat coping suggestions, our simple conversations can provide major comfort during difficult times.”

Mattia also emphasized the importance of coordination and collaboration across all levels of the organization to better respond to community needs.

“By working in close collaboration with all other Italian Red Cross units and departments, our aim is to keep call center operators as updated as possible. We continually integrate the latest data from our Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team so that our people are prepared to address public information requests and offer timely support. This means not only closely tracking our organization's initiatives, but also maintaining open cooperation with governmental agencies like the Civil Protection Department on their ongoing relief programs.”

Door-to-door approach

In addition to mass communication efforts, the Italian Red Cross also activated its network of volunteers to spread awareness of heat-related risks and respond to heatwaves. Volunteers engaged in activities such as distributing water bottles and setting up cooling centers.

In smaller cities, volunteers took an even more personal approach – conducting house visits to inform and support vulnerable groups. Volunteers checked in on isolated seniors, pregnant women, and others at heightened risk, identifying pressing needs, sharing heat safety information, and providing vital reassurance during stressful times. Mattia emphasized the importance of these interactions: "It's about addressing their feelings of loneliness and the sense of being overlooked by the community, which often arises during emergencies”. 

Good practices from the Italian Red Cross’ heat wave response

Close coordination with government partners like the Health Ministry and Civil Protection Agency to enable a holistic and streamlined emergency response.

Coordinated efforts of government agencies and the Red Cross were required to provide a holistic approach to the needs of the diverse communities during heat waves. Strategies included sharing up-to-date information transparently and pro-actively collaborating with the Health Ministry and Civil Protection Agency. This ensured an adequate number of responders and services while establishing a reliable network of well-informed stakeholders.

Adaptation of an existing, widely recognized public information campaign to increase awareness of heat waves.

The Italian Red Cross integrated heatwave messages and recommendations into the ongoing Effetto Terra campaign. Recognizing heatwaves as one of the deadliest consequences of climate change, the campaign aimed to elevate public education and safety awareness.

Operating a dedicated 24/7 hotline for emergency assistance and advice. The call center seamlessly channels requests to the relevant local Red Cross branches.

A dedicated national hotline efficiently channeled public requests to relevant Red Cross branches during heat emergencies. Whether individuals needed information, personal advice, social services or simply a listening ear, this integrated approach helped vulnerable people access appropriate real-time local support, preventing unnecessary outdoor heat exposure.

Key Lessons Learned

Expand engagement efforts with smaller communities and networks to maximize outreach to vulnerable groups during extreme heat events.

While the Italian Red Cross has a national hotline and wide network of volunteers, they acknowledge the need to recruit more people to meet the demand during heatwaves. In Italy, especially in regions with smaller cities, there are fewer volunteers and limited services. 

Andrea Giovannoni acknowledged the need for understanding where help might not be reaching effectively and why: “It's crucial to analyze not just our current reach but where we aim to be in the future — identifying which communities remain underserved and understanding the reasons behind this gap, which is an analysis we have not previously undertaken."

Adopt customized communication and intervention approaches responding to the cultural values, languages, challenges and expectations of each local community.

Italy’s diversity necessitates tailored strategies that consider cultural differences, social and personal risks, and adapt communication and intervention efforts to each region's unique context. This is particularly critical for the Italian Red Cross, which places great emphasis on social support aspects when working with vulnerable groups and communities. 

Monitor macro-level weather shifts and prepare for simultaneous extreme weather events which can overburden response.

While heatwaves primarily affected Central and Southern Italy, some northern cities faced different extreme weather events linked to the same anticyclone. This led to an increased demand for services, putting pressure on the National Response Call Center and impacting service availability, as response teams were addressing various types of disasters simultaneously.

As 2023 was the warmest year on record globally, projections indicate 2024 may surpass it, increasing the likelihood of longer and more severe heatwaves. By studying other Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' efforts during extreme heat events, we can adapt best practices to improve our own preparedness for the coming summer and future years.

This is especially crucial for heatwaves. Despite being among the deadliest natural hazards, their negative impact can largely be prevented with the right preparedness and risk reduction measures in place. By learning from peer National Societies, we can fine-tune our systems to face the challenges ahead while sharing best practices across our global network.

Written by: Adriana Mangones | Edited by: Vladislav Kavaleuski

The post The Weather of Hell: Experience of Italian Red Cross During 2023 Heat waves appeared first on PrepareCenter.

This story was prepared and originally published by National Geographic.

Japan has earned a reputation as one of the most disaster-ready nations in the world due to its seismic codes and culture of preparedness, much of which was built on knowledge from previous disasters.

Three days after a major earthquake shook the West Coast of Japan, a difficult search for survivors is still underway. The magnitude-7.6 earthquake off the coast of the Noto Peninsula produced the strongest shaking the region had experienced in decades, triggering a tsunami evacuation order for nearly 100,000 people. While the damage assessments are still trickling in, early reports estimate hundreds of houses were destroyed by the quake and subsequent fires, and more than 80 deaths have been confirmed as of January 4.

But seismologist Lucy Jones believes the intensity and offshore location of this earthquake could have produced significantly more devastation had the nation been less prepared. On X, Jones praised Japan’s “strong, enforced building codes,” which she says resulted in the damage being “much less than it could have been.”

Japan is one of the most seismically active nations in the world. Its location between four tectonic plates meaning that earthquakes are a matter of if, not when. Though they often go undetected by the people walking above them, seismic tremors are a daily occurrence in the country, which the EarthScope Consortium reports experiences around 1,500 noticeable earthquakes each year. Given this risk, finding ways to live with earthquakes is woven into the physical and social makeup of Japanese communities.

Emergency Response in Action: A Japanese Red Cross medical team arrives at Noto General Hospital to provide aid and support in the aftermath of the devastating Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Photo: © Japanese Red Cross Society/Atsushi Shibuya

Adapting to major earthquakes

Understanding how to best prepare for major earthquakes is often hard-won, stemming from knowledge gleaned from past disasters, says Keith Porter, chief engineer for Canada’s Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction. In Japan, seismic regulations for building codes were first introduced after a magnitude-7.9 earthquake in 1923 killed more than 140,000 people and reduced hundreds of thousands of structures to rubble. These early regulations were focused on strengthening new structures being built in urban areas, adding oversight to the construction of wood and concrete buildings.

The seismic code has undergone a number of significant changes in the decades since, most notably through the Building Standard Law of 1950 and the New Earthquake Resistant Building Standards Amendment in 1981. Along with providing construction specifics, these pieces of legislation established expectations for how buildings are expected to perform during earthquakes. The 1950 Act established a standard in which buildings were expected to withstand earthquakes up to a magnitude-7 without serious issue. The 1981 Amendment gets a bit more specific with what that damage can be, stating that when earthquakes up to a magnitude-7 strike, a building should only sustain minor damage but still function as usual. For stronger earthquakes, Japanese law says the building should simply not collapse.

In other words, when it comes to withstanding major earthquakes like the one struck on the first day of 2024, “the building is considered a success if it doesn't collapse and kill anybody, even if the damage is so extensive that it cannot be economically repaired,” Porter explains. Similar standards are the norm in North America, he added, with the focus set on saving lives rather than long-term structural integrity. While that is a clear priority, Porter says the acceptance of degrees of damage can ultimately lead to higher costs and more upkeep issues damages down the road.

Destruction in Wajima City after the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in Japan, January 2024. Old houses collapsed, roads were cut off and landslides were seen in mountainous areas in Wajima City. Photo: © Japanese Red Cross Society/Atsushi Shibuya

Designing for Shaking

There are a number of different techniques that achieve these standards in Japan, with the choice of which to use often depending on the type of structure — such as a skyscraper or single-family home — and the budget available, along with other considerations. At a base level, buildings are fortified with thicker beams, pillars, and walls to better withstand shaking.

There are also techniques to help separate buildings from the movement of a shaking ground. One popular method is installing pads made of absorbent material like rubber at the base of a building’s foundation, dampening the shock of movement to the structure itself. Another approach, the base isolation system, calls for not just having these pads at the base, but building the entire structure atop thick padding so that there is a full layer of separation between the unit and the moving earth.

Porter notes that many older Japanese buildings are traditional post and beam wood frame construction, which “tends to be very fragile” and vulnerable to earthquake damage. Following another deadly earthquake in 1995, Japan began focusing on retrofitting older architecture to be more resilient to earthquakes.

Of course, none of this is foolproof. Specific challenges arise depending on the location of a building, such as if it is in a liquefaction zone, in which the ground can no longer support the weight of structures. And then there are the secondary consequences that often follow major earthquakes, such as fires igniting or tsunami damage.

That’s why building safety is just one part of Japan’s approach to earthquake resiliency.

Following the New Year’s Day earthquake, University of Tokyo professor Toshitaka Katada told the Associated Press he believes there are “probably no people on Earth who are as disaster-ready as the Japanese” given the preparedness measures that are considered routine in the country, like evacuation planning and drills. Evacuation centers, often schools or other community gathering spaces, are equipped with emergency supplies, and residents are told to have emergency supplies available at their homes, as well. The country also has a robust warning system, which was triggered for both this week’s earthquake and tsunami threat.

This is another example of how previous disasters area in which learnings from previous disasters has helped shape this emergency system, according to social scientist James D. Goltz, a guest scholar and fellow with the Disaster Prevention Research Institute at Kyoto University. Following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, a magnitude-9 quake that triggered a deadly tsunami, Goltz says there has been an “real emphasis on education” and the role of not just “hard mitigation strategies,” such as infrastructure improvements, but also “soft mitigation strategies” like improving warnings and identifying tsunami-safe centers.

Already, Koichi Kusunoki, a professor at Earthquake Research Institute at the University of Tokyo, said he and his colleagues are conducting field surveys along the Noto Peninsula, offering an opportunity to better understand the major earthquake’s effects. As past disasters have proven, this research can be the first step towards understanding how residents can be safer the next time the ground begins to shake.

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The post Japan spent decades making itself earthquake resilient. Here’s how appeared first on PrepareCenter.

In the context of climate change, a commonly accepted narrative is that increasingly frequent and severe disasters are unavoidable and beyond our control. However, this narrative is deeply flawed. It insinuates, incorrectly, that communities and societies are largely powerless in the face of unpredictable and inevitable forces beyond their control.

To the contrary, disaster risk and disaster impacts depend largely on physical, social, economic and environmental factors that are within our control. At the domestic level, it is possible to greatly reduce disaster risks and impacts by developing a comprehensive and effective disaster risk management (DRM) system. The foundation for a strong DRM system is disaster risk governance, meaning the ensemble of laws, policies, plans and institutional arrangements pertaining to DRM.

International Efforts to Strengthen DRM

While the pernicious narrative of human frailty in the face of disasters persists, governments around the world are increasingly recognizing that there is much they can do to strengthen DRM. At the international level, this is evidenced by developments such as the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters and the numerous references to DRM in the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda.

Equally, it is evidenced by the international community’s ongoing efforts to revise the International Health Regulations (2005) and to negotiate a new international pandemic instrument. Governments are also increasingly recognizing the overlap between DRM and climate change adaptation (CCA) and, therefore, the role of effective DRM in achieving the global goal on adaptation established by the Paris Agreement.

Laws and policies form the often-invisible foundation of disaster risk management. Learn more about the role of disaster law in preparedness and risk reduction on our dedicated Topic Page

Progress at Regional and Domestic Levels

Momentum is also growing at the regional level. During the past two decades, regional organisations in the Americas, the Asia Pacific, the Caribbean and Europe have adopted agreements establishing regional disaster assistance mechanisms as well as a wide array of regional policies on DRM.

At the domestic level, during this period there has been strong growth in domestic law and policy reform, with many governments enacting modern, comprehensive disaster legislation and adopting national disaster risk reduction strategies. Governments are increasingly moving towards a multi-hazard approach and scaling up investment in prevention, mitigation, preparedness and anticipatory action.

While significant progress has been made towards strengthening disaster risk governance, there remains much more to do. Indeed, the recent Mid-Term Review of the Sendai Framework finds that progress towards strengthening disaster risk governance has been varied and that there is a continued need to enhance legal frameworks.

Good disaster laws promote community participation in disaster risk reduction and help increase resilience. Photo: © Agostino Pacciani / IFRC

New Guidelines on Disaster Risk Governance

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has been active in disaster law for over 20 years. During this period, it has developed leading research and recommendations on how domestic instruments — laws, regulations, policies, plans and standard operating procedures — can provide the foundation for a comprehensive DRM system.

The Guidelines on Disaster Risk Governance, currently available in a Pilot Version, represent the culmination of IFRC’s two decades of work in this sector, consolidating an extensive body of research and recommendations into a single document. The Guidelines are designed to support states in their efforts to strengthen disaster risk governance and become legally prepared for disasters.

Legal preparedness for disasters and emergencies refers both to a process and an outcome. As a process, legal preparedness refers to reviewing and strengthening legal instruments to ensure they: (i) provide an enabling environment for effective and efficient DRM; and (ii) mitigate the common legal problems that arise during disasters and emergencies. It also includes implementing existing legal arrangements through developing operational procedures and plans, training actors (especially concerning their roles and responsibilities), and dissemination and awareness raising for the general public. As an outcome, legal preparedness refers to the state of being legally prepared, meaning having in place well-designed, well-understood and well implemented laws, regulations, procedures and plans relating to disasters and emergencies.

It is with the aim of enhancing these two conceptions of ‘legal preparedness’ that the Guidelines have been designed, namely to provide a benchmarking tool that can be used to guide the development and review of domestic instruments. The Guidelines also aim to provide guidance on the implementation of relevant international instruments, most notably the Sendai Framework and the International Health Regulations (2005). The Guidelines adopt a holistic approach, identifying how different types of instruments — laws, regulations, policies, plans and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) — can collectively provide a comprehensive framework for effective DRM, with the ultimate aim of keeping people safe from the impacts of disasters and climate change.

For any further information or request please contact IFRC Disaster Law here.

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The post Addressing Disaster Risk Governance through the Lens of Legal Preparedness appeared first on PrepareCenter.

The COVID-19 pandemic 2019 led us to lock ourselves in a box, but I have seen that volunteers of VSO still did their duties. @VSO, one can learn how to give him/her a way to serve humanity. And that’s what volunteering is. You don’t think about yourself when you see who you are serving. Humans with crises are a result of any emergency or conflict. That emergency made their life standards so fragile that they sought assistance from volunteers like us.

In Pakistan, people are known as hospitable humans. Everyone has volunteered, but they don’t look out or experiment with that trait. This doesn’t need the expertise of volunteerism in Pakistan; our cultural norms and values make us more accepting of diversity and versatility. The classes, ethnicity, faiths, and nationalities make us stronger for this cohesion. The world is divided into many social categories for their identities only; this division is very refreshingly positive that we feel good to meet people of any other group or community. The social inclusion teachings are the best when we truly and wholeheartedly start it from our end.

During a talk with an Education Volunteer (Afghan Refugee) in Quetta, Pakistan. I felt so proud of being Pakistani when he said to me that he loves Pakistan more than the country where he was born. It was quite an emotional moment for me because I see few who take this blessing of having a homeland for granted. What this country gave them, Etc.

Ask people who are welcomed by our people what they feel about it! What you give to your country is more important.!

Now see! This experience of learning in volunteering unfolds many horizons. And with time, the wise of us becomes wiser to understand the ground realities of living a life. Giving Away the service in-kind or monetary, both are valued and achieve recognition only when the beneficiary or recipient is content. Yes, Only Then!

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