Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems in the Caribbean Community: State of Play Sub-Regional Forum on Disaster Reduction and Early Warning Systems Tuesday-Wednesday, March 26-27, 2019 Sheraton Hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Presentation overview Context for Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems Caribbean EWS Overview Current Work in the Caribbean Considerations going forward

Drought Air quality Heat

Caribbean EWS Overview

Observations 2005-2015 Ref. Collymore 2016 Diverse ad hoc interventions; Variable by hazard Since 2003 >US$50M invested At least 75% focused on warning tools, equipment and capacity building Some progress in advancing EWS Integated EWS at ‘embyonic stage’ – cyclones, flood, tsunami, volcanic hazards Increasing use of science – CIMH drought, cyclones and severe weather; Seismic Research Centre

Recommendations Ref. Collymore 2016 Establish strategic vision for EWS development EWS Policy - underway Prioritisation of the investment in EWS – strategic process undertaken in support of prioritisation Revisit and strengthen governance frameworks for EWS – consultations commenced and planned Consolidation of National integrated EWS – guidance document EWS more visible in national and regional strategies and programmes – sustainability dialogues with decision-makers have begun

Caribbean EWS Overview

risk knowledge Hazards Data collection Risk Assessments Organization Hydro meteorological hazards Severe weather; cyclones; drought Collection of data on the hazard; return period calculations Embryonic stages - qualitative approach Eg. Weather Ready Nations (high, medium, low) RAZOR - will look at quantification CIMH Seismic & Volcanic hazards Collection of data on earthquakes and volcanic activity Quantitative – Eg. seismic hazard atlas Seismic Research Centre Tsunami Pacific Tsunami Centre To be addressed Caribbean Tsunami Information Centre

Detection, monitoring, analysis, forecasting Hazard Detection and Monitoring Analysis and Forecasting Organizations Hydro meteorological hazards Severe weather; cyclones; drought Air quality; Heat Tropical cyclone, severe weather Monitoring Caribbean Drought and Precipitation Monitoring Network (Drought Bulletin) Modeling of excess rainfall, wave heights; Storm surge Drought Impacts forecasting CIMH National Met Services Seismic & Volcanic hazards Seismic monitoring network Seismic Research Centre, MVO; Mona Earthquake Unit Tsunami Monitoring of seismic activity Analysis at national level Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre

Dissemination and communication of warnings Hazard Dissemination and Communication of Warnings Organization Hydro meteorological hazards Severe weather; cyclones; drought Public Advisories, Watches and Warnings National Authorities Seismic & Volcanic hazards Tsunami

Preparedness to respond Hazard Preparedness Actions Organization Hydro meteorological hazards Severe weather; cyclones; drought National Plans, Exercises, Training etc. CDEMA & Partners - Regional Response Mechanism Organizations of the National Emergency Management System Seismic & Volcanic hazards Tsunami

Governance and institutional arrangements Model National CDM Bill and Regulations provide guidance on governance and institutional arrangements for MHEWS at the national level Part IX National Multi Hazard Alert System Annex 5 EWS Regulations NB: No specific policy guidance identified Space to strengthen governance and institutional arrangements Number of PS enacting legislation Key to sustainability Space for further elaboration on the national coordination mechanisms for MHEWS

Key issues Responsibility and authority: Is the level of responsibility sufficiently supported by authority? National Disaster Coordinator Level of authority of National Meteorological Services? Legislation?

CURRENT WORK IN THE CARIBBEAN

EWS COnsortium Launched in June 2017 Function: strategic and advisory body for the advancement and strengthened coordination of Early Warning Systems within the Caribbean Region Met in January, 2019 to develop a regional vision, Consortium mission and to identify strategic objectives in pursuit of the regional vision as outlined in their draft action plan. strategic and advisory body for the advancement and strengthened coordination of Early Warning Systems within the Caribbean Region

Regional Vision for MHEWS ‘A Global Model for Sustainable People- Centered and Reliable Multi-Hazard EWS that is Caribbean Owned, Well Coordinated, Accessible and Trusted’ Consortium’s Mission ‘To Provide Leadership in the Coordination of a Dynamic Regional MHEWS Effective in Saving Lives & Livelihoods of People in the Caribbean’

Role of the ews consortium Regional Strategic Vision and Action Plan Standards Stakeholder Engagement Resource Mobilization Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting

Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting EWS CHECKLIST - Background Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 The Third International Conference on Early Warning (EWC III) held in Bonn, Germany (2006) a simple list of the main elements and actions; a practical, non- technical reference tool to ensure that the major elements of a good early warning system are in place Adapted for Caribbean Context 2017 including gender Applied in Saint Lucia, Antigua, St. Vincent, Dominica Assessment Gap Validation Roadmap Implementation Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting

Key Elements Cross-cutting Issues Key Actors Ews checklist Risk Knowledge; Monitoring and Warning Service; Dissemination and Communication; Response Capability Key Elements Effective Governance and Institutional Arrangements; A Multi-Hazard Approach; Involvement of Local Communities; Consideration of Gender Perspectives and Cultural Diversity Cross-cutting Issues Communities, Local governments, National governments, Regional institutions and organizations, International bodies, Non-governmental organisations, Private sector, Science and academic community Key Actors

EWS Toolkit

Considerations FOR SUSTAINABILITY Vision for EWS (National and Regional) Prioritization of EWS Enabling environment – policy, legislation, regulations How do we advance and sustain integrated EWS governance and institutional arrangements? Governance mechanism: EWS Consortium (regional); National Governance Options? Coordination amongst actors is key Harnessing lessons to shape this space for operation – review of past events

Considerations FOR SUSTAINABILITY Analysis of EWS Checklist Results Acknowledgement, celebration of and maintenance of EWS gains Integration of EWS gaps into programming Target setting, monitoring, lesson integration Consider vulnerable groups and gender Programmatic integration of Community EWS and National EWS actions Balanced investment in 4 EWS elements and enabling environment – sequencing and prioritization National and external investment guided by the national programmatic approach

Strengthen integrated early warning systems for more effective disaster risk reduction in the Caribbean through knowledge and tool transfer IMPLEMENTED BY SUPPORTED BY

Strengthen integrated and cohesive preparedness capacity at a regional, national and community level in the Caribbean IMPLEMENTED BY SUPPORTED BY

Dr. Alexcia Cooke, Regional Technical Coordinator, CDEMA Thank you Dr. Alexcia Cooke, Regional Technical Coordinator, CDEMA Alexcia.cooke@cdema.org