Paper details
| Paper authors | CcSa- Addisu Yilhal |
| In panel on | How can local CSOs increase their influence in multistakeholder early warning systems? |
| Paper presenter(s) will be presenting |
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Abstract
Early Warning Systems (EWS) are promoted by numerous policy frameworks as a critical solution for resilience building, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 and UN ‘Early Warnings for all: Executive Action Plan 2023-2027’
Most guidance asserts EWS are most effective when implemented by multiple collaborating stakeholders, from the disaster-prone communities to the regional, national, and international levels.
Consistent with this, EWS in Ethiopia involves the active participation of multiple sectors including National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC), Meteorology, Health, Agriculture, Hydrology, CSOs and grassroot communities.
CcSa is a local NGO working to build climate resilience. During 2023, it has done so by strengthening a flood EWS for three woredas in South Gondar, Amhara region. The project focuses on all four pillars of EWS; disaster risk knowledge, monitoring and forecasting, warning dissemination and communication, and preparedness. This requires closely working with government experts from numerous bureaus, flood task forces, volunteers and various community representatives, to build their capacities, collaboration and trust in each other.
This paper assesses CcSa’s role in guiding these different stakeholders, including convening and coordinating, financing, gathering information from each of them, and advocating for the needs of the most vulnerable groups to be considered. It then explores the challenges CcSa has faced, and strategies for overcoming them, and lessons that could be learned for similar NGOs.
