Reliance Foundation, in collaboration with United Nations India brought together stakeholders from the Global South to discuss strengthening of early warning signs for early action during disasters. The convention, which was the first of a series, was held to deliberate multi-hazard, multi-stakeholder approaches to early warning, on November 19, 2024, in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
Titled ‘Early Warning to Early Action – A Multi-Hazard, Multi-Stakeholder Approach: Learning from Coastal Ecosystems’, the conference emphasized Odisha’s proactive approach to disaster preparedness in a disaster-prone coastal region with a focus on supporting livelihoods and gender inclusivity. The Odisha convention also focussed on capturing best practices, innovations and steer significant policy outcomes for a resilient future.
In a statement released by Reliance Foundation, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Odisha, the Chief Guest at the convention, Suresh Pujari, said, “We are working collectively to further strengthen early warning systems, and we are happy that Odisha has been chosen as the first state to start this series of deliberations. The Odisha government works with various stakeholders on minimising the intensity of natural disasters,” adding “We will be working with the UN, Reliance Foundation and all other stakeholders for suggestions and technological assistance. We request the organisations we work with to find ways to integrate disaster prediction with information analysis for greater accuracy in early warnings.”
The convention welcomed experts from state and national disaster management departments including India Meteorological Department, National Disaster Management Authority and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services. UN organizations, policy experts, researchers, non-governmental organizations and members of academia were also a part of the deliberations.
Addressing the convention, CEO of Reliance Foundation, Jagannatha Kumar, said, “As climate change drives more extreme events, there is a need to strengthen impact-based forecasting to ensure it translates more effectively to local action.”
Highlighting that early warnings have time and again proved to be lifesavers for communities during extreme weather events, he added that, “India is pioneering knowledge advancement in rapidly advancing early warning systems. We have been driving innovative solutions in early warning systems through extensive use of technology and approaches for effective reach and impact. The convening series, being organised by Reliance Foundation and the United Nations in India office, aims to work collectively with various stakeholders to realise the goal of translating knowledge into local action.”
UN Resident Coordinator for India, Shombi Sharp, remarked that the Odisha convention, which was a first in a series of convenings on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), was a response to UN Secretary-General’s call for Early Warning for All across countries.
Sharp stated, “We’re also showcasing the Government of Odisha’s leadership in Early Warning Systems for disaster response, a crucial story to tell and an opportunity to share best practices and knowledge with other states and countries in the Global South. The UN remains committed to supporting these efforts through our various agencies, working closely with the government, civil society, and partners like Reliance Foundation to strengthen Early Warning Systems and build community resilience.”
Experts discussed advancements in early warning systems, exploring challenges and ways to enhance early action for future-proof disaster preparedness. Panel discussions centred on ‘Current State of EWS and Early Action: Assessing Effectiveness’ and ‘Future Proofing and Innovation towards Integrated Early Warning Systems’ highlighted the importance of multi-hazard approaches and combining social and demographic data with meteorological data for precise and targeted early warning messaging.
The sessions also shared lessons from recent efforts in coastal states, youth and child-led disaster risk reduction initiatives, and integrating livelihood protection with early warning systems. Experts from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh contributed to the discussions, sharing their best practices and emphasizing the value of collaboration which underscored South-South knowledge sharing. Pre-convention field visits to villages in Balasore and Bhadrak districts showcased the work of Reliance Foundation and the UN India in partnership with local authorities.
A curated walk during the convening allowed participants to explore innovations, further enriching the exchange of ideas on strengthening early warning and action systems. The Early Warning to Early Action series aims to compile best practices, promote innovations, and drive impactful policies to protect more lives and livelihoods.
