A roadmap for multi-hazard, impact-based early warning 2023-2030: Building disaster resilient communities in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s early warning systems, developed over a 50-year span, faced challenges such as fragmentation, inadequate funding, and a lack of proactive measures. The focus on crisis management, rather than anticipatory actions, led to inefficient resource allocation. To address these issues, the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC) and stakeholders propose transforming the early warning system into a comprehensive Multi-Hazard, Impact-Based Early Warning and Early Action System (MH-IB-EW-EAS).

This integrated approach encompasses hazard monitoring, forecasting, risk assessment, communication, and preparedness. Aligned with the Sendai Framework’s four pathways - disaster risk knowledge; monitoring, observation, and forecasting; warning communication; and early action and response – the MH-IB-EW-EAS aims to foster resilient communities through proactive measures and effective response strategies. The implementation of the roadmap requires the participation and contribution of multiple stakeholders from the federal to the community level.