Landslide early warning in Costa Rica

Following a number of landslides in August 2002, the International Federation, supported by the Regional Delegation in Central America, obtained funding from the British government to implement an early warning system in the event of future landslides. The overall objective was to ‘promote the development of community organizational and planning processes for the identification of risks and resources, in order to prepare for and respond to emergency situations’. The Costa Rican Red Cross initiated a community training programme in disaster preparedness and prevention, community first aid and psychological support. The idea of the early warning system was put to the community on the understanding that the community itself would operate and follow through with this system. Published in 2003.