By Precious D. Freeman
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) with support from United Nations Office on Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Swedish Government, International Federation of Red Crescent (IFRC) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched Early Warnings For All (EW4All) initiatives.
The aim of the initiative is to systematically collect risk data and undertake risk assessments on hazards and vulnerabilities to improve risk understanding, and to also develop hazard monitoring and early warning services.
The two days launch that began yesterday in Monrovia, brought together several dignitaries from Liberia and other countries who helped to grace the event.
Serving as the chief launcher, Mcdonald Mefcger who spoke on behalf of Vice President Jeremiah Koung mentioned that as Liberia faces increasing challenges posed by climate change, including frequent natural hazards, they recognize the critical importance of robust early warning systems, which are pivotal in safeguarding communities, minimizing loss of life, and enhancing resilience against disasters.
According to him, they commend global initiatives like EW4All, which aim to ensure every person on earth benefits from effective early warning systems by 2027.
He added that this initiative, coordinated by UNDRR, WMO, ITU, and IFRC, aligns with their commitment to building national capabilities across key pillars: enhancing risk knowledge, strengthening observation and monitoring, improving communication and dissemination, and bolstering preparedness to respond.
“It is important to recognize that disasters and climate change affect people differently based on their level of exposure, and different vulnerability drivers, including gender, age and disability.”
He continued that an intersectional approach is required to ensure that early warning services are inclusive, responsive, and equitable.
Mr. Mefcger noted that through collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships, including with international organizations and local stakeholders, Liberia remains steadfast in its dedication to implementing and advancing these essential early warning systems. “Together, we strive towards a safer, more resilient future for all Liberians.”
He emphasized that as a government, they remain committed to supporting the Early Warnings for All Initiative in Liberia by making tangible investments in building and strengthening the infrastructures for early warnings in Liberia.
“I like to thank all of our international development partners, including the government and people of Sweden, the One UN Family, and IFRC, ITU, the leadership and staff at the National Disaster Management Agency. On behalf of the Vice President, I now hereby officially launch the Early Warnings for All Initiative in Liberia, the first of its kind in West Africa.”
The Executive Director for NDMA, Ansu Dulleh who led the launch said that climate change has accelerated the onslaught of natural hazards, and Liberia is particularly vulnerable.
According to him, the last decade has already seen a torrent of extreme events across the country, with numerous floods, severe storms, and famine taking a devastating toll on its people.
NDMA Boss added that Early Warning Systems are a proven, effective, and feasible disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation measure that save lives and provide a tenfold return on investment, yet major gaps in early warning systems remain globally, especially when it comes to translating early warnings into risk-informed early action.
He explained that In March 2022, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, announced a new global action to ensure every person on earth is protected by early warning systems within five years.
“Coordinated at the global level by UNDRR and WMO, the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative aims to accelerate investment in national capabilities across four pillars of the early warning value cycle.”
“The Initiative is built on a solid partnership structure, where UNDRR leads work under Pillar 1 on Risk Knowledge; WMO leads Pillar 2 on Observation and Monitoring; ITU leads Pillar 3 on Communication & Dissemination and IFRC leads Pillar 4 on Preparedness to respond. Furthermore, each pillar relies on a network of implementing partners, responsible for implementation and coordination of pillar-specific activities”
Mr. Dulleh intoned that while governments play a crucial role in driving action on early warning services for their citizens, adopting a “whole-of-society” approach that involves all stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector, can better strengthen and sustain early warning services.
“It’s equally important to recognize that disasters and climate change affect people differently based on the level of exposure, and different vulnerability drivers, including gender, age, disability, etc. therefore, an intersectional approach is required to ensure that early warning services are inclusive, responsive, and equitable.”
He emphasized that by involving all sectors of society and taking an intersectional approach, early warning services can be more effective in protecting vulnerable populations from the impacts of disasters and climate change.
“Building on current or forthcoming initiatives on early warning systems in Liberia, the UN system and its partners are seeking to boost political momentum and boost collectively the achievement of the EW4All Action Plan by 2027.”
He furthered that capacities to better detect, manage, and get ahead of hazardous events are needed to protect and grow the wellbeing and resilience of vulnerable and exposed individuals and communities.
“Multi-hazard early warning systems that are linked to early actions have proven to be key to the country’s efforts to manage risks, enhance adaptation, and build resilience. It is in this context, that a multisectoral committee (EW4All Technical Committee) has been established to lead the preparation of the EW4All initiative in Liberia. The NDMA has been nominated as the lead institution and the TOR and work-plan has been developed to prepare the official launch of the EW4All in Liberia.”
Clement Peters who spoke on behalf of UN Residents Coordinator of Liberia stated that disaster risk management is an important subject, one that has an impact on the development trajectory of a country, especially a country like Liberia, prone to numerous natural hazards.
He continued that Disaster risk management is truly multi-sectoral, touching on the nature and direction of public investment, environmental management, land-use planning, agricultural practices, infrastructure resilience, building code compliance, law enforcement, civic education and early warning systems.
“This event reflects Liberia’s commitment to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), in particular the implementation of Target G that aims at substantially increasing the availability and access to early warning system in the country.
The event underscores the wide-UNCT commitment to the EW4All agenda and our engagement to work with the Government of Liberia and all other partners and donors.”
“2027 is just around the corner. Let’s put our acts together. That is the only way we can meet this target. Let’s work together to reduce the loss of human life, mitigate damage to economic, material, social, cultural and environmental assets, and increase the resilience of our communities to disasters.”
