INTRODUCTION
Early warning systems are proven, effective, and feasible disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation measures, that save lives and provide a tenfold return on investment. Yet, major gaps in early warning systems remain globally, regionally, and nationally, especially when it comes to translating early warnings into risk-informed early actions.
Early Warnings for All (EW4All) is a global initiative announced by UN Secretary-General at the COP27 Summit in 2022 that tries to breach these gaps and aspires to have everyone on the planet covered by early warning systems by 2027. EW4All initiative comprises the four foundational pillars of early warning systems, with lead agencies assigned to each pillar:
- Pillar 1: Disaster risk knowledge (UNDRR) - systematically collect risk data and undertake risk assessments on hazards and vulnerabilities to improve risk understanding,
- Pillar 2: Detection, observation, monitoring, analysis and forecasting (WMO) - develop hazard monitoring and early warning services,
- Pillar 3: Warning dissemination and communication (ITU) - communicate risk information so it reaches all those who need it, and is understandable and usable,
- Pillar 4: Preparedness and response capabilities (IFRC) - build national and community response capabilities.
Bangladesh is one of the first 30 particularly at-risk countries selected for roll-out activities of the EW4All initiative. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) is acting as the National Focal Point in Bangladesh. MoDMR is coordinating with different UN agencies and Government units i.e. United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO), United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World Food Programme (WFP), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Flood Forecasting & Warning Centre (FFWC) and Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) to achieve EW4All target.
The first National Consultation Workshop on EW4All was held on 17-18 November 2023 to create a wider understanding of the EW4All approach, promoting shared responsibilities of the four key pillars of the EW4All initiative to facilitate multi-stakeholder efforts to scale up end-to-end EWS across the four pillars and linking national and local engagement. As part of the continuation of this initiative, the Pillar-4 consultative workshop held on 2-3 October, 2024 and the Pillar-1 workshop is scheduled on 21-22 October, 2024.
It was decided in the interpillar coordination meeting held on 29 September 2024 that Pillar-2 and Pillar-3 will jointly organize a workshop in 1st week of December 2024. The workshop aims to leverage Bangladesh's expertise in warning dissemination and communication for early warning systems, review and detail out the gaps identified in the November 2023 consultation, and propose a roadmap plan with timelines, responsibilities, and financial requirements. It will also share best practices with global and regional partners in the EW4All initiative related to Pillar-3. This workshop will bring together all the relevant stakeholders working in the detailed disaster management spectrum. The ideas and substantive inputs of all participants will contribute constructively to developing a comprehensive plan for EW4ALL Pillar -3, which will subsequently contribute to the National EW4ALL roadmap.
