Supporting preparedness through MHEWS

Early warning systems (EWS) are critical life-saving tools when environmental hazards arise. Effective EWS generate, disseminate and use timely, accurate, actionable and inclusive warning information to enable individuals, communities and organizations to prepare in advance and respond appropriately to a hazard  in order to reduce the possibility of harm or loss. Effective people-centred, end-to-end EWS comprise four interrelated elements:

  1. Risk assessments;
  2. Hazard analysis and generation of warning messages;
  3. Dissemination of warnings and communication of associated likelihood and impact information; and,
  4. Activation of preparedness and response plans and capabilities.

Multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) provide common capacities to prepare for and respond to several hazards, including those occurring simultaneously or cumulatively over time, and for their potential interrelated impacts. As such, MHEWS increase efficiency and consistency of warnings.