Regional Cooperation towards Effective Multi-Hazard Early Warnings in Asia

Due to unprecedented rate of climate change, the number of coastal hazards have been significantly increased causing a large number of deaths and economic losses during the 21st century. Hence, leading global initiatives emphasise the necessity of multi-hazard early warnings for effective disaster risk reduction and resilience across the world. Asia reported the largest share of deaths and economic losses from all type of natural hazards, showing gaps within their coping capacities and gaps in present preparedness measures. Multi-hazard early warnings play a significant role within present disaster risk reduction measures irrespective of disaster type. Regional cooperation in this effort could be further benefitted due to its ability of sharing knowledge and costs among member countries. Nevertheless, present situation of multi-hazard early warnings in Asia does not deliver its expected results due to many uncovered reasons. Hence, this paper is written with the objective of identifying enablers and barriers that affect effective multi-hazard early warnings in Asia. This paper is based on the findings of an initial stage of a project aimed at enhancing capacity building among Asian higher education institutions through capacity development programmes for an effective risk reduction and resilience mechanisms. Accordingly, the study conducted an online survey among experts in multi-hazard early warnings and found that, risk warnings, governance, awareness and education, preparedness culture and resources as the enablers for effective multi-hazard early warnings in Asia. The study also revealed that weak monitoring, weak preparedness and response capacities and weak regional and political support as the barriers for successful implementation.