WMO First DPM Coordination Meeting Synthesis of WMO DPM Projects, Identification of Gaps and Presentation of New Crosscutting Initiatives to address the Gaps Item 24 By Maryam Golnaraghi, Chief of DPM Programme December 4, 2006

Overall Analysis of TC and Programme Projects (Doc. 11)

Synthesis of TC and Programme Projects on Seven Gap Areas (Doc. 2, 11)

New Crosscutting Initiatives (Projects 43 – 47) (Doc. 11) GA 1: (Project 43) Mainstreaming NMHS and their Technical Services in the National Disaster Risk Management Planning GA 2, 3, 5, 6: (Project 44) Strengthening of capacities of WMO and NMHSs to contribute to multi-hazard risk assessment and sectoral planning projects GA 3, 5, 1, 6: (Project 45) Strengthening of NMHSs capacity and partnerships in DRM processes in support of end-to-end multi hazard early warning systems supported by legislation and coordinated national organizational processes GA 4: (Project 46) Strengthening of WMO and NMHSs Support of post-disaster relief operations GA 2, 3, 4: (Project 47) Applications of Space information in disaster risk management

Reference to Doc 11, Projects 43 - 47

Symposium on Multi-Hazard EWS for Integrated Disaster Management (WMO Headquarters, 23-24 May 2006) Issues: Governance, institutional, technical, operational, resource challenges, benefits and synergies, along the four components of EWS Participants: 99 experts and practitioners from 18 agencies working in different components of early warning system

Governance, Organization and Operations WMO Crosscutting Symposium on EWS involving 99 experts from WMO and 18 agencies (May 2006) Governance, Organization and Operations Observing, detecting & Forecasting of Hazards “Authoritative” Understandable Warnings & Dissemination Mechanism Risk Identification and Integration in Warning Messages Integration in Emergency Preparedness, and Response Recommendations on how to address gaps and challenges to ensure effective End-to-End Early Warning Systems Need for coordination and participation of NMHS and other agencies at the national level

Challenges for Effective Early Warning Systems Communication and Dissemination Effective warning messages: Incorporation of information about risks in warning messages Understandable warning messages “Authoritative” warnings (Authentication of sources) Dissemination networks: Interoperability (use of international standards) Redundancy and resilience of networks Same distribution channels for warnings of different hazards (cost efficiency, reliability and effectiveness) Standard warning terminologies Nationwide and across borders Traffic light concept Risk Identification Data gaps, quality, accessibility, sharing Hazard Vulnerability (e.g. socio-economic, topographic…) Standardized methodologies and expertise (e.g. hazard analysis, risk modelling) Understanding of the changing patterns of risk (e.g. hazard, vulnerabilities) Local capacities Observing, Detecting, Forecasting Strengthen observation systems coverage sustainability inter-operability multi-use of networks (where practical) built on "system of systems" concept data policies Prediction and forecasting methodologies, accuracy and lead time multi-disciplinary Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response Education and awareness (emergency responders, authorities, risk managers, emergency responders, media, public…): Understanding of warnings and uncertainties Awareness of less frequent events Cross-training of operational agencies and media Operational planning Drills Community preparedness and programmes Coordination and partnerships across components !

Examples: Connecting authoritative warnings to effective preparedness and Response at the Community level

Bangladesh: Cyclone Preparedness Programme Low investments, high efficiency GOVERNANCE: legislative framework OPERATIONAL: community-based approach with a network of volunteers, trained and trainers, and infrastructures (shelters) ORGANISATIONAL: strong partnership among agencies Authoritative warnings BANGLADESH Bay of Bengal Warning categories:

Cuba: Cyclone Early Warning Small country, 99% access to media (radio & TV), coordinated top-down warning and response mechanisms CUBAN EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT POLITICAL WILL AS WELL AS A RELIABLE AND TRUSTED CUBAN NMS FORECAST PLUS THE GOOD USE OF THE MEDIA AND THE ACTIONS OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE, HAVE PRODUCED THE SAVING OF MANY HUMAN LIVES MATERIAL LOSSES HAVE ALSO BEEN MINIMIZED. The Perception of Danger is gradually being created using high quality graphics. Uncertainty is illustrated by removing the most likely track: all zones inside the probabilistic cone appear like facing the same probability of being hit. Warning

France: "Vigilance" Strategy Hazards + NEW: Flood warning map Strong wind Strong rainfall Thunderstorm Snow/Ice Avalanches Heat waves Level of warning Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Warnings activate cascades of preventive and response plans, actions and responsibilities Legislation Planning Authoritative Warnings Organizational linkages Training and feedback Green No special vigilance required. Yellow Potentially dangerous and unusual meteorological phenomena have been forecast. Be very vigilant. Keep informed about meteorological conditions. Orange Be very vigilant; dangerous meteorological phenomena are forecast; keep informed about meteorological evolution and follow advice from authorities. Red An absolute vigilance is necessary; dangerous and exceptionally intense meteorological phenomena are forecasted; keep regularly informed about meteorological developments and conform to the advice or orders given by authorities. Flood warnings: montoring, forecasting and warning at the watershed level ; legislation, planning, and response at the local government level (differents borders and entities). EXAMPLE: HOW HEAT WAVE ALERTS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SYSTEM 2003 heatwave impacts have led to formalized agreements between Météo France and two institutions in charge of public health. By the end of 2003 (see also Chapter 6), a first agreement was quickly set out to provide some new indicators, albeit on a provisional basis, with the operationally oriented "Institut de Veille Sanitaire" (Institute for Sanitary Watch). Another collaboration which is much more far-reaching was established in July 2004 with the medical research institute INSERM. According to the press release, it is due to enlarge and enhance the combined research on heat (and cold) waves and their impact on public health,with an aim to document and study in details the bio-meteorological mechanisms at much finer scales and over a longer period of 30 years. 5 levels from national to local authorities

Shanghai City: Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Emergency Response Programme Governance : (mega) city-level. Organisational: Top-down (monitoring, forecasting, warning) and bottom-up Operational: Community-based + high tech monitoring and alerting tools Multi-Hazard Approach: Services are specialized but shared for alert dissemination and response mechanisms. Multi-agency preparedness, multihazard integration and multi-phase response are the three crucial factors of disaster risk management. Multi-agency preparedness requires joint efforts from multiple government agencies to support disaster risk management. The Shanghai Emergency Response/Mitigation Commit tee was established on 5 March 2006. It consists of 50 members of various government agencies and departments in areas related to flooding, severe weather, fire, traffic accidents, chemical accidents, nuclear power accidents, public health, earthquakes and marine emergencies. Under this committee, the joint Shanghai Emergency Response Centre (ERC) responds operationally and effectively to any emergencies and provides first-aid to local residents. The ERC will narrow the information gaps and develop disaster risk management plans by using a coordinated approach to share resources in dealing with disasters or other major emergencies. Multi-hazard integration is the integration of multiple hazard information and information platforms. In Shanghai, an integrated urban information platform was established based on a geographical information system (GIS). The information carried includes geographic district boundaries, land type information, infrastructure systems (street network, water system, drainage system, etc.), emergency response facilities, recreational facilities and other relevant data pertaining to city operations. The information is maintained in both computer-aided design (CAD) and GIS file formats. Data from the monitoring of natural disasters and associated products, such as heat wave/health warning and assessment, urban air quality predictions, etc., are jointly distributed by the appropriate government agencies in partnership to contribute to a seamless strategy. The advanced operational information system is an important component of the integrated information platform of the SRMC. The information SRMC provided includes weather monitoring, forecasts and warnings, as well as hazard assessment. Through SRMC’s integrated display and dissemination system, the information is disseminated to the residential communities (>10 000), factories (>22 000), villages (>12 000), schools (>1 500) and more than 3.5 million cell phone users. Multi-phase response means integrating the various phases of response into one chain (Figure 2) in disaster prevention and mitigation (DPM). The DPM response phases consist of monitoring, prediction and warning, preparedness, mitigation, rescue and assistance. The seamless approach ensures DPM effectiveness. Multiphase response also represents the “end-to-end-to-end” concept. Through the chain, seamless information reaches related government agencies, and then the end user—the public. Meteorological departments are involved in the initial period of DPM activities, the monitoring phase and the prediction and warning phase. Timely and accurate weather information will therefore facilitate government’s quick and efficient DPM directions and actions. Meanwhile, other phases of DPM also need weather information to support disaster preparedness, mitigation, rescue and assistance. Green No special vigilance required. Yellow Potentially dangerous and unusual meteorological phenomena have been forecast. Be very vigilant. Keep informed about meteorological conditions. Orange Be very vigilant; dangerous meteorological phenomena are forecast; keep informed about meteorological evolution and follow advice from authorities. Red An absolute vigilance is necessary; dangerous and exceptionally intense meteorological phenomena are forecasted; keep regularly informed about meteorological developments and conform to the advice or orders given by authorities. Flood warnings: montoring, forecasting and warning at the watershed level ; legislation, planning, and response at the local government level (differents borders and entities). EXAMPLE: HOW HEAT WAVE ALERTS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SYSTEM 2003 heatwave impacts have led to formalized agreements between Météo France and two institutions in charge of public health. By the end of 2003 (see also Chapter 6), a first agreement was quickly set out to provide some new indicators, albeit on a provisional basis, with the operationally oriented "Institut de Veille Sanitaire" (Institute for Sanitary Watch). Another collaboration which is much more far-reaching was established in July 2004 with the medical research institute INSERM. According to the press release, it is due to enlarge and enhance the combined research on heat (and cold) waves and their impact on public health,with an aim to document and study in details the bio-meteorological mechanisms at much finer scales and over a longer period of 30 years.

Common Aspects of Four Cases Discussed Political commitment and legislation Complete DRR cycle: prevention, preparedness, response, recovery Coordination and partnerships among different government agencies Roles and responsibilities Linking national to local levels (Top-down, Bottom-up) Authoritative, understandable warnings Combine hazard, risk and response information Dissemination Mechanism match culture/resources Sustainability, interoperability, reliability Warning categories – Integration with emergency preparedness and response actions Community-based programmes Feedback