ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how mobile phones can play a vital role in building sustainable last-mile early warning systems provided that they are deployed within an effective use strategy. The HazInfo Project was made possible with funding from Canada's International Development Research Centre and headed by the policy and regulation capacity-building organization LIRNEasia, along with support from several local organizations including Sarvodaya, the largest and most established non-governmental organization in Sri Lanka. One of the key objectives set out by HazInfo project team was to support the integration of the various communication tools into the everyday activities of the community. Local warning capability is limited by access to communications technology and the ability to reach populations with localized alerts. The mobile phone is a communications tool that tends to be integrated into the everyday communicative practices among individuals, thereby increasing the likelihood that it will be maintained and functioning should an alert be issued.
