Social capital – the social ties and connections between people and communities – is a crucial component of disaster resilience. But evidence that demonstrates the economic benefit of investing in social capital has been anecdotal and primarily qualitative, with an absence of empirical and quantitative evidence. This has meant it can be difficult for governments […]
About this Paper This study explores the challenges that people living with non-communicable diseases (PLWNCDs) face in accessing early warning messages (EWMs) during disasters in Nepal, focusing on flood-prone districts of Kanchanpur and Kailali. Findings reveal delayed and inaccessible warnings, language barriers, and low trust in message accuracy, leading to limited preparedness. Many PLWNCDs struggle
Anticipatory action is expanding and being mainstreamed across the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. As National Societies add more Early Action Protocols (EAPs) and scale up their anticipatory action programming, developing an anticipatory action pre-financing strategy is essential to ensuring timely and effective implementation. The window for anticipatory action is a critical period when humanitarian
Pre-Financing Anticipatory Action: A Practical Guide for National Societies Read More »
Compound events, such as floods and heatwaves occurring in close succession or simultaneously, can interact in a way that creates more severe outcomes than if they occurred both individually, as multiple stressors can exceed the coping capacity of a system more quickly than individual stressors occurring in isolation. Urbanization exacerbates these risks through the urban
Double Jeopardy: Addressing compound flood and heatwave events Read More »
About this Paper Flooding remains a major threat to last-mile communities in Malawi, particularly in Makhuwira, Chikwawa District, where poverty and limited resources constrain disaster preparedness. This study investigates the effectiveness of early warning systems and household-level early actions during Cyclone Freddy, using a mixed-methods approach that combines household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus
The Role of the Algerian Red Crescent in Crisis Management and Disaster Response: A Case Study of Social Assistance and Flood Interventions in Naâma and Béchar “The Algerian Red Crescent (ARC) has played an increasingly significant role in addressing social and natural crises. The organization has expanded its humanitarian initiatives, particularly during the social
Produced in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization and the Australian National University, this white paper calls for urgent action to strengthen collaboration, spark innovation and safeguard communities and economies from escalating climate risks. Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity, posing growing threats to lives, infrastructure and economies worldwide. Early warning systems
Catalysing Business Engagement in Early Warning Systems Read More »
About this Paper This study explores the factors hindering the comprehension, accessibility, and inclusivity of early warning messages (EWM) in Kolwa East Ward, Kisumu County, Kenya. Despite the vital role of early warning systems (EWS) in reducing flood-related risks, gaps in message dissemination, institutional coordination, and community engagement limit their effectiveness. Using qualitative research methods—including
Extreme weather events driven by climate change threaten the resilience of urban structures and urban dwellers. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are an effective tool to reduce urban vulnerability to climate risks and, at the same time, develop more liveable urban areas. Despite the acknowledged positive impacts of individual observed NbS, numerous questions persist unanswered. While existing
This case study highlights the Zambia Red Cross Society’s (ZRCS) activation of its Early Action Protocol (EAP) for riverine floods in January 2023. Developed with support from the Netherlands Red Cross, the EAP uses predictive tools like GloFAS to trigger anticipatory actions aimed at reducing flood risks. Following alerts for Kitwe and Kafue districts, ZRCS
Case Study: Zambia Floods Early Action Protocol Activation Read More »