ELLA Learning Alliance on Climate Resilient Cities - Discussion 5: Early Warning Systems

This shares experiences from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Santa Cruz and La Paz, Bolivia, as well as Medellin and San Juan de Pasto, Colombia

Abstract

In Discussion 5 of the online learning programme, Latin American experiences with early warning systems (EWS) in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Santa Cruz and La Paz, Bolivia, as well as Medellin and San Juan de Pasto, Colombia, were shared with participants. In particular, these cases demonstrate the importance of monitoring technologies, access to information and community involvement in efforts to reduce the impacts of extreme weather events in urban areas. Experts from Africa, Asia and Latin America discussed existing EWS in their cities as well as the challenges to improving efficiency. On the whole, participants felt that significant improvements could be made to local EWS and that much could be learnt from the Latin American examples. Where formal EWS do not exist, participants felt that a series of informal systems was positively influencing disaster risk reduction in their cities.

Citation

ELLA. ELLA Learning Alliance on Climate Resilient Cities - Discussion 5: Early Warning Systems. ELLA, Practical Action Consulting, Lima, Peru (2014) 6 pp.

Published 1 January 2014