Senator Loren Legarda said that strengthening multi-hazard early
warning systems (MHEWS) is one area where legislation for disaster risk
reduction (DRR) can be improved.
Ms.
Legarda, who was a panelist for the Parliamentary Meeting on Governance and
Legislation for DRR organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the UN
Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), said that legislation for MHEWS
will make a difference in reducing disaster risks and building the resilience
of nations and communities.
“We
need to effectively reduce disaster risk as it becomes more complex given the
increasing frequency, intensity and uncertainty of extreme hazard events. A
more holistic and integrated approach to early warning is needed. This approach
entails the provision of impact-based forecasts and risk-informed warnings
through multi-hazard early warning systems,” she said.
The
senator, who is also a UNISDR Champion, explained that multi-hazard early
warning systems inform the people of the potential impacts of impending natural
hazards, the risks on their lives and livelihoods, and the action they should
take.
“This
approach promotes public awareness and understanding of impacts and risks from
natural hazards, and guides the people and sectors at risk in making decisions
and taking early actions. Legislation in strengthening MHEWS could ensure that
early warning services reach the ‘last mile’ such as the most remote and
vulnerable populations, providing them with timely, meaningful and actionable
warning information,” Ms. Legarda stressed.
She
further explained that legislation could help close the gaps in coordination
among stakeholders, inadequate public awareness and participation, and
insufficient political and financial support.
Furthermore,
legislation on MHEWS could ensure that early warning services of
hydro-meteorological services are authoritative, science-based, risk-informed,
operational round-the-clock, and made available to and actionable by the
people, groups and sectors at risk.
“Times
do change. Disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity and are
significantly impeding progress towards sustainable development. We cannot be
content with what we have now, we have to do more and that is what we aim here
in Sendai as we adopt a new DRR framework that will help nations and
communities reduce existing risks and prevent the creation of new risks.
Legislators have a significant role. Legislators should be effective game
changers in building disaster resilience,” Ms. Legarda concluded.
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