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N.21 Preparedness and Awareness Raising
Introduction
The preparedness phase combines the prevention of, the preparation for, and the individual precaution against hazards. Capacity building and raising risk awareness among the community strengthens the humanitarian settlements in their preparedness and responses to hazardous events. Preparedness measures include early warning systems, the planning of escape routes and refuge, the individual preparation of emergency bags, and the proper storage of emergency supplies and tools such as pumps or latrine pit emptying equipment. The stocks need to be controlled regularly to ensure materials are sufficient and functional.
Awareness raising campaigns need to convey simple key messages and be repeated regularly to ensure best comprehension of all members of the community. Community trainings on reacting to early warning systems, using escape routes and safe refuges are primordial to ensure the effectiveness of the preparedness measures. Inclusive and long-term capacity building can derive from educational efforts based on the combination of local, indigenous, and scientific knowledge systems. For this purpose, a dedicated disaster management cell or emergency operation center could be institutionalized within the humanitarian settlement, where selected people are trained on monitoring stocks, warning systems and other preparedness mechanisms. Local communities and humanitarian organizations can also prepare for disasters via land use plans, hazard maps, and (GIS-based) risk assessments (see Measure N.22 and GIS Add-In).
Benefits & Risks
Environmental Impact
Good Practice
Lesson Learned: Early Action against Floods in the Bentiu Camp, South Sudan
The Bentiu camp for internally displaced persons (IDP) in South Sudan was expected to face significant flooding during the 2022 rainy season. As a result, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and local partners initiated a pilot project for early floods risk mitigation. The initiative included a special task force and public project tracker to steer the preparations and decision-making. The process of early action was perceived a needed and effective measure by UN informants. However, early anticipatory action should leave more power in decision-making to the staff on site for accelerated risk mitigation processes. Moreover, the implemented mitigation should be continuously revised (Evan Easton-Calabria, 2023).
References
Calabria, Evan Easton (2023): Acting in Advance of Flooding: Early action in South Sudan , Feinstein International Center
Calabria, Evan Easton; Jaime, Catalina; Shenouda, Benjamin (2022): Anticipatory action in refugee and IDP camps: challenges, opportunities and considerations , ICRC
IPCC (2022): Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability - Summary for Policymakers , Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Score Card
Environmental Impact
Risk Protection
Affordability
Durability
Criteria
Scale of Intervention
Shelter-Plot-Block Settlement Supra-settlement
Type of Intervention
Engineered Nature-based Hybrid Non-structural
Targeted Natural Hazard
Pluvial Flood Coastal/Riverine Flood
Strategy Type
Relocate Reduce Hazard Magnitude Reduce Asset Vulnerability Reduce Casualties
Implementation Time
Short (1 day ‐ 1 month) Medium (1 month ‐ 1 year) Long (> 1 year)
Effect Duration
Short‐term ( <1 year ) Medium‐term (1 year to 10 years) Long‐term (>10 years)
Targeted Vulnerable Assets
Buildings Transport Technical Infrastructure Land Cover
Investment Costs
Low Medium High
Maintenance Costs (yearly)
Low (<10% investment costs) Medium (10-50%) High (>50%)