From Risk to Resilience

Abstract

This paper uses Practical Action’s work with end-to-end FEWSs in Nepal and Bangladesh to argue that all four system components are essential if communities are to be empowered to protect their lives and livelihoods. Ensuring that all community members and government staff understand flood risk is critical for the system to function (‘risk knowledge’). Risk warnings can affect the lives of thousands of people and therefore must be accurate (‘risk monitoring’). The communication network ensures that all vulnerable people receive the warning in time (‘communication and dissemination’). Finally, flood vulnerable communities must be able to respond to the threat effectively and in time (‘the ability to respond’).