ABSTRACT
An early warning system (EWS) is a key tool within disaster risk reduction practices that is designed to reduce the impact of a hazardous event and, if effective, can substantially increase the numbers of survivors. This chapter focuses on studies that show the necessity of reviewing EWSs more holistically, emphasizing the need for strong links between the different sub-systems while maintaining the flexibility of the whole system to adapt to multiple circumstances. The global survey aims to identify existing capacities and gaps in EWSs, with the intention of providing a wake-up call to governments and other agencies about the role of early warnings in reducing human and economic loss from natural hazards. The survey responses indicated that research on natural hazards is relatively unknown within the public realm, due to ignorance or ineffective communication strategies, and that there is a low perceived self-efficacy and a strong lack of preparedness in the population.
