The human dimension of early warning – a viewpoint

Abstract

Purpose The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami prompted global efforts to develop end-to-end multi-hazard warning systems. Taking this event as a starting point, and drawing on experiences from the following advancement of the Indonesian tsunami early warning system, this paper aims to highlight the importance of paying attention to human factors and the perceptions and behaviors of end recipients when trying to design efficient early warning systems. Design/methodology/approach The study is a viewpoint where theoretical frameworks for the design of efficient early warning systems are used as backdrop to an extensive review and analysis of secondary data, including scientific papers and newspaper articles. Findings The paper presents what an end-to-end warning system means, explores process problems related to perception and communication and concludes with views and recommendations toward more inclusive early warnings. Originality/value Research and practice related to early warning systems have traditionally had a strong focus on technological elements whilst the target groups of early warnings (i.e. communities) have received far less attention and resources. This paper focuses on the human dimension of warning systems and uses a real case to exemplify how efficient warning systems not only require a sound scientific and technological basis, but also depend on the awareness, trust and will of the people they aim to protect.

Functional characteristics of an early warning system to minimise the risks of dam breaks in Sri Lanka

“…Wehn and Evers (2015), also have further asserted that good risk communication has the ability to establish public confidence if it is based on honesty, clarity, comprehensiveness, and timeliness. Even though the major function of an EWS is to deliver the warning to the final destination (community level), the key concept behind that scenario is to filter the gathered information and translated them into recommended action through the technical process using the most suitable language in order to convey the warning in an understandable manner for the end-users (Hamza and Månsson, 2020). The next section explores the functional characteristics of an EWS.…”