World disasters report 2009: focus on early warning, early action
This 2009 edition of the World Disasters Report focuses on disaster risk reduction. It argues that early warning without early action is not enough and calls for cost-effective prevention measures, rather than the expensive response operations.
World Disasters Report 2009 focuses on two key aspects of disaster risk reduction: early warning and early action. The decline in injuries, loss of livelihoods and deaths from disasters over the past 30 years is, in part, due to the establishment and improvement of early warning systems. Advances in science and technology, in forecasting techniques and the dissemination of information are major contributors. However, the development of a more people-centred approach is clearly essential to ensure that the warnings captured by satellites, computer modelling and other technologies reach at-risk communities and are then acted upon.