Disaster Response Force (DRF) in GHMC, Hyderabad is the first of its kind city specific disaster rescue force in India. It tackles all kinds of disasters & emergencies (floods, structural collapse, tree falls, fire,etc) with a sense of emergency and holistic approach of preparedness measures, early warning systems & response through trained rescue forces to minimize negative impacts of disasters and restore normalcy.

The brave & selfless efforts of DRF equipped with precision machinery and rescue tools has been able to  build trust among citizens of Hyderabad about their safety by addressing 13000 plus grievances during emergencies & disasters.

DRF stood as a torch bearer system in handling urban disasters/emergencies and sought after by other city administrations in India to replicate. The beauty of the project lies in the fact that no additional expenditure incurred towards manpower resources, all the existing manpower in Urban Local Body(GHMC) is reorganized and deployed into DRF duly imparting professional training on par with NDRF personnel. 

Read the counterfactual analysis here.

Introducing the Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens and its Director, Dr. CHIU Chen-Yu (Cho)! 

Cho has been working for 8 years for the Centre built in Reyhanli/Hatay, Turkiye to serve the people of the war-affected region. Located in Reyhanli, a town on the Turkish-Syrian border, the Centre was established by Cho in 2016 to address the needs of the burgeoning Syrian refugee population. The Centre is notable for being the first humanitarian architecture project in the Levant region, receiving praise and awards for its innovative approach to fostering socio-cultural and economic integration between Syrian refugees and Turkish locals.

In the wake of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6, 2023, the earthquake-resistant Centre played a critical role in humanitarian relief, providing shelter, food, electricity and essential services to nearly 2,000 people. It also coordinated with 22 international NGOs to aid the affected communities. As life in Reyhanli began to stabilize, the Centre led efforts to construct transitional shelters and implement long-term recovery plans, focusing on sustainable livelihoods and the inclusion of displaced and disadvantaged groups. Cho’s dedication and leadership have been instrumental in transforming the Centre into a place of hope and resilience for the region.

• Article: The Taiwan-Reyhanlı Centre for World Citizens and 2023 Türkiye-Syria Earthquake

Reyhanli, a town bordering Syria in the southeastern Turkish province of Hatay, experienced a significant population surge as Syrian asylum seekers fled the escalating conflicts in early 2011. The population grew from 120,000 to 270,000, putting immense pressure on local resources. In response, Dr. CHIU Chen-Yu (Cho) initiated the Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens in 2016, marking the first humanitarian architecture project in the Levant region since the Syrian civil war began. This initiative, led by built-environment professionals, has received international acclaim and multiple architectural awards.

Cho, alongside his students from Bilkent University in Ankara, designed and programmed the Centre to foster socio-cultural, economic, and political integration between Syrians and Turkish locals. Starting in 2016, the team conducted site investigations and research, with construction beginning in 2019. As the founding director and principal architect, Cho volunteered his expertise, collaborating closely with the Turkish government, NGOs, INGOs, and grassroots organizations to enhance the quality, equality, and sustainability of life for all residents.

During the design phase, evaluations of pre-construction risks pinpointed Reyhanli’s location within an earthquake-prone area. Consequently, the structure of the Centre was engineered to withstand earthquakes of Magnitude 7.0 and above, while incorporating post-disaster utilities. To minimise on-site expertise requirements, prefabricated building components were selected. Concrete blocks were obtained from the nearby fortified military border, while lightweight metal sheet roofing was chosen for its earthquake-resistant properties, facilitating easier installation within the limited budget.

On February 6, 2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck, causing Reyhanli to lose water, electricity, and food supplies for weeks, and leading to the shutdown of local governmental institutions. The Centre immediately transformed into a humanitarian relief hub, hosting nearly 2000 people for 45 days and providing essential services such as shelter, water, food, electricity, and healthcare to thousands of survivors. The Centre also coordinated with 22 INGOs to manage the humanitarian response in the town.

As life gradually returned to normal, with Reyhanli absorbing an additional 200,000 refugees, the Centre has been the first institution to build transitional shelters for displaced Syrian refugees and Turkish locals. Partnering with local organizations, the Centre implemented a 36-month recovery plan to support earthquake survivors, fostering long-term inclusion and integration of minorities and disadvantaged groups.

To mitigate potential disasters, the Centre undertook several actions across three stages:

• Pre-disaster Mitigation:

1. 1. • Conducting risk assessments and monitoring for earthquakes and terrorist attacks;
      • Implementing a construction plan to withstand earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher;
      • Developing storage and delivery solutions for emergency supplies, including water, food, medical equipment, fuel, and medicine; and
      • Ensuring emergency preparedness by providing essential services such as climate-controlled shelters, power plants, and hygiene facilities.

• Post-disaster Emergency Responses:

1. 1. • Assessing emergency situations and mobilizing resources efficiently;
      • Distributing food and basic nutrition assistance, supporting local health facilities;
      • Enhancing the effectiveness of projects by recruiting and managing local staff;
      • Providing shelter for over 2000 people, prioritizing women, children, and the elderly;
      • Coordinating with international agencies and government officials to manage humanitarian efforts;
      • Standardizing information management to prevent disinformation; and
      • Using digital media to raise awareness and empower communities.

• Post-disaster Recovery:

1. • Establishing a monitoring framework to ensure post-stabilization and identify vulnerable populations;
   • Creating job opportunities and conducting workshops for displaced and disadvantaged groups;
   • Managing volunteer professionals to provide free education to affected children;
   • Implementing sustainable fundraising programs and media operations to enhance social awareness; and
   • Developing sustainability projects, including recycling systems and renewable energy installations.

The Centre has gained international recognition and numerous architectural awards for its innovative humanitarian relief and disaster prevention approaches. The Centre’s management and architectural innovation approaches have proven effective in aiding displaced and disadvantaged people affected by the Syrian refugee crisis and the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake. These innovations offer new market opportunities and inspire other actors to scale up humanitarian assistance efforts, reducing the negative impacts of potential disasters globally.

Overall, key lessons learned from the Centre’s success include transforming post-emergency relief into sustainable development, cooperative programming with affected communities, using appropriate technologies for disaster resilience, and fostering long-term socio-economic systems. The Centre’s efforts in sustainable financing, ethical international trade, and crowdfunding have ensured continuous support for disaster interventions and long-term recovery, demonstrating a holistic approach to humanitarian innovation.

Dr. Chen-Yu Chiu

Director of the Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens 

Read the counterfactual analysis here.

In 2019, the Regional Anticipatory Action Working Group (RAAWG) was founded by its secretariat members Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to strengthen inter-agency efforts towards regional Anticipatory Action for climate shocks in Southern Africa. Anticipatory Action is designed to reduce the humanitarian impacts of a forecast hazard and is implemented before the most acute impacts of an event are felt. When a pre-defined trigger threshold for drought impact is forecasted, the RAAWG works closely with local government and stakeholders to implement Anticipatory Actions such as early warning messages, cash transfers, the provision of drought-resistant seeds, agricultural training, and improving water sources. RAAWG partners closely with the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) on this front. SADC formally endorsed anticipatory action programming through the adoption of the SADC Maputo Declaration on Bridging the Gap between Early Warning and Early Action in 2022.

The previous El Niño event in 2015–2016 caused the worst drought in 35 years for much of southern Africa. In 2015-2016, humanitarian relief was largely provided post-impact as part of a declaration of emergency once the scale of the disaster became clear. By contrast, RAAWG members activated Anticipatory Action in eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe as early as July 2023 based on seasonal forecasts, months ahead of when peak impacts were forecast. Collectively, RAAWG reached more than two million people and unlocked close to USD31 million in anticipatory finance. Next to RAAWG’s secretariat members WFP, FAO, and IFRC, drought anticipatory actions were supported by UN OCHA, START Network, Save the Children International, Welthungerhilfe and World Vision International. RAAWG-supported activations ahead of the 2023-2024 forecast impacts represent the largest funding of anticipatory assistance in Southern Africa, and the largest number of parallel activations in a region to date.

Read the counterfactual analysis here.

The Improving Climate Data and Information Management Project for Jamaica (ICDIMP) was pivotal in enhancing the quality and application of climate-related data for effective planning and action at both local and national levels. The project’s main focus was to upgrade the hydro-meteorological data collection and processing infrastructure through the acquisition of new equipment, systems, and training for operators, thereby improving forecasts and the availability of reliable data for climate change modeling, risk analysis, and warning systems. Initially, Jamaica’s hydro-met system and the capacity to develop and deliver climate services were significantly challenged due to financial constraints, leading to inadequate maintenance and outdated equipment, such as the obsolete Doppler Weather Radar at Cooper’s Hill.

The technical advancements achieved by the project included a substantial expansion of the meteorological and hydrological observation network, enhancement of data transmission, and the preservation of historical rainfall records. The project enabled open access to weather data and installed 72 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs), which account for over 65% of the national hydro-met network, marking the Caribbean’s first real-time weather reporting system. Additionally, soil moisture probes and tide gauges were installed, contributing to irrigation decision-making, sea level monitoring, and early warning systems for tsunamis and floods. The real-time data system has been instrumental in improving water resource management and disaster response, benefiting 1.2 million people, including training over 150 individuals in data management, with women making up 48% of the beneficiaries. The project’s implementation saw 95% of the equipment installed and operational, with the Meteorological Services of Jamaica’s targets surpassed by 134%.

Read the counterfactual analysis here.

Himeji, Japan, June 19, 2024 – The Averted Disaster Award (ADA) today named the Lamu County Emergency Operation Centre, Kenya, as the winner of the 2024 ADA award for outstanding Disaster Risk Management (DRM) intervention. This prestigious recognition was announced at the Understanding Risk Global Forum 2024, a four-day conference that brings together Disaster Risk Management experts and practitioners worldwide. Created in December 2021, the Averted Disaster Award is an annual competition that seeks to bring visibility to successful DRM programs and policies around the world. It recognizes proactive interventions that help ensure that communities continue to function, thrive, and recover quickly in the face of disaster risk. 

The Lamu County Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) earned this recognition for averting at least five major disasters since its inception in 2016. Particularly between October and December 2023, the region faced a compounded humanitarian crisis due to severe flooding and a cholera outbreak, following the worst drought in four decades. In response to heavy rainfall advisories issued by the Kenyan Meteorological Department, the EOC undertook extensive preparatory measures. These included disseminating tailored information to the community, identifying and stocking 12 evacuation centres, evacuating 4,900 at-risk families (approximately 18,000 people), and relocating 20,000 livestock and property to higher ground. The evacuation was completed 21 days prior to the floods, with evacuees provided with shelter, food, water, healthcare, and other amenities throughout the crisis.

During the floods, damage to the main connecting highway isolated Lamu County from the rest of Kenya, disrupting the delivery of goods and medical aid to evacuation centres. Additionally, an unexpected influx of displaced persons from other counties strained the available resources in Lamu County. This challenge was effectively addressed by mobilising support for additional shelters and supplies from national and international agencies. Remarkably, no human or animal lives were lost during the floods.

The ADA also announced today the Runner-up recipient of the 2024 Averted Disaster Award as well as three additional recognitions. The ADA named the Southern Africa Anticipatory Action Working Group (RAAWG), represented by the United Nations World Food Programme Southern Africa, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFCR) as the 2024 ADA Runner-up in recognition of strengthening inter-agency efforts towards regional anticipatory action for climate shocks in the region. When a pre-defined trigger threshold for drought impact is forecasted, the RAAWG works closely with local government and stakeholders to implement Anticipatory Actions such as early warning messages, cash transfers, the provision of drought-resistant seeds, agricultural training, and improving water sources. Their work was especially important during the 2023 El Niño event as RAAWG members activated Anticipatory Action in eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Collectively, RAAWG reached more than two million people and unlocked close to USD 31 million in anticipatory finance, marking the largest funding of anticipatory assistance in Southern Africa and the highest number of parallel activations in a region to date.

Additionally, the ADA presented an Honourable Mention to the Disaster Response Force (DRF) in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation for being India’s first city-specific disaster rescue force. It effectively addresses various emergencies, including floods, structural collapses, and fires, through preparedness measures, early warning systems, and trained rescue personnel. The DRF has built trust among Hyderabad’s citizens by addressing over 13,000 emergencies, demonstrating its effectiveness.

Furthermore, the ADA acknowledged the World Bank for their grant-funded Improving Climate Data and Information Management Project (ICDIMP). This project has revolutionized climate data quality in Jamaica, empowering authorities to better predict and respond to flooding dangers. By upgrading hydro-meteorological infrastructure with new equipment and training, ICDIMP has enhanced forecasts and climate modeling. The project has expanded observation networks, improved data transmission, and preserved rainfall records. With the installation of 72 Automatic Weather Stations, it created the Caribbean’s first real-time weather reporting system, benefiting 1.2 million people.

Moreover, the Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens has also been recognized with an Honourable Mention. Located in Reyhanli, a town on the Turkish-Syrian border, the centre was created in 2016 to address the needs of the burgeoning Syrian refugee population. The centre is notable for being the first humanitarian architecture project in the Levant region, receiving praise and awards for its innovative approach to fostering socio-cultural and economic integration between Syrian refugees and Turkish locals. In the wake of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6, 2023, the earthquake-resistant centre played a critical role in humanitarian relief, providing shelter, food, electricity and essential services to nearly 2,000 people. It also coordinated with 22 international NGOs to aid the affected communities. As life in Reyhanli began to stabilize, the centre led efforts to construct transitional shelters and implement long-term recovery plans, focusing on sustainable livelihoods and the inclusion of displaced and disadvantaged groups.

The session announcing the winner and awardees was hosted by Averted Disaster Award Advisory Board Member Francis Ghesquiere and Selection Committee members, David Lallemant and Olivia Jensen. Ghesquiere is Practice Manager for the Water Sector in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region of the World Bank. Dr. Olivia Jensen is Lead Scientist at the LRF Institute for the Public Understanding of Risk, National University of Singapore. David Lallemant heads the Disaster Analytics for Society Lab at Nanyang Technological University and Earth Observatory of Singapore and his work serves as the basis for the Averted Disaster Award. At the end of the ceremony, after inviting Shee Kupi, the Lamu County Director of Disaster Risk Management and Peace Building who presented the winning project, onto the stage, they announced that the nomination period for the Averted Disaster Award 2025 will open next November.

About the ADA:

In the world of Disaster Risk Management, success means ‘nothing happens’: this can lead policy makers and society at large to undervalue the importance of proactive intervention. This award aims to shed light on successes in DRM to recognize the outstanding work of those who invest in measures that keep our communities and world safe. It recognizes proactive interventions implemented around the world that help ensure that communities continue to function, thrive, and recover quickly in the face of disaster risk.

The Averted Disaster Award is an initiative of the Understanding Risk community and is supported by the Global Fund for Disaster Risk Reduction (GFDRR). Additional information about the Averted Disaster Award can be found at www.averteddisasteraward.org.

For more information concerning the ADA, contact info@averteddisasteraward.org

The Averted Disaster Award will grant an independent counterfactual analysis to the top 5 projects

Singapore – The leading 5 interventions nominated for The Averted Disaster Award’s 2024 edition will be honored with an independent counterfactual analysis.

Counterfactual analysis stands out as an indispensable tool in gauging the effectiveness of  disaster prevention strategies. This method provides a unique lens through which evaluators can establish causal relationships between interventions and outcomes.

The essence of ‘counterfactual’ lies in its ability to unveil what would have happened to beneficiaries in the absence of a particular intervention. This process involves estimating impact by comparing outcomes derived from the counterfactual scenario with those observed under the actual intervention.

Increasingly, counterfactual analysis is gaining prominence in the field of disaster risk management. This method empowers practitioners to navigate the spectrum of potential outcomes influenced by highly uncertain and random variables in a growing number of applications including earthquakes, climate change, and volcanic eruptions.

“We use counterfactuals to imagine and quantify the disasters that could have been” says Dr. David Lallemant, Assistant Professor at the Earth Observatory of Singapore at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. “Counterfactual Analysis looks beyond immediate visible outcomes and considers the “what if” scenarios” in order to explore more broadly the true impact of a disaster risk intervention. For example: What if the school earthquake retrofit program had not been implemented? How many schools would have collapsed? How many more people would have been affected? In so doing we can highlight the fact that the seemingly ordinary functioning of buildings and infrastructure in the face of floods, earthquakes and typhoons, is in fact extraordinary and worth celebrating.”

The counterfactual analysis will be conducted at Nanyang Technological University, by PhD and Associate Professor, Susanna Jenkins. Prof. Jenkins has over 20 years of applied experience as a Risk Analyst in the field of Disaster Risk Management and Natural Hazards. 

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore is renowned for its commitment to cutting-edge research and innovation. Among its notable research entities is the Disaster Analytics for Society Lab (DASL). DASL focuses on harnessing advanced analytics and technology to address global challenges related to natural and man-made disasters. The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together experts from fields such as data science, engineering, and social sciences to develop innovative solutions for disaster management. Through its research initiatives, DASL aims to enhance society’s resilience and response capabilities in the face of emergencies. NTU’s dedication to fostering impactful research, coupled with DASL’s mission to leverage data analytics for societal benefit, reflects the university’s commitment to addressing critical issues on a global scale.

The findings of Prof. Jenkins’ analysis will be captured in a report that will include:

• Overview of the intervention background, development, features and future.
• Counterfactual analysis or narrative highlighting the benefits and “what if” scenarios related to the intervention. *The risk analyst will discuss the counterfactual with each applicant and engage with them on the approach and outcome while remaining independent.
• Provide at least two figures/schematics to visually support the analysis

What are the benefits of receiving a free independent counterfactual analysis for your intervention or organization?

Having an independent counterfactual analysis provides multiple benefits:

• Trusted Outcomes:  Having the analysis conducted by a highly credentialed risk analyst at a trusted university known for its thought leadership in the field of disaster risk management ensures that the assumptions used are evidence based and rooted in reality.  
• Enhanced Understanding of Intervention Impact: Independent counterfactual analysis will allow the organization to validate and potentially enhance the understanding of measurable impact for the nominated project. Impact data and proposed counterfactual metrics provided in the application will be validated as part of the counterfactual analysis and additional impact metrics or narratives may be added to provide a clear message on the benefits of the intervention.
• Informed Decision-Making: The insights gained from the counterfactual analysis can influence future decision-making processes within the organization, helping to amplify effective strategies.
• Clear Snapshot of Performance:  A counterfactual analysis allows stakeholders to assess the project’s performance against alternative scenarios and expectations. It is a clear snapshot that can be shared with leadership, donors or other decision makers as a way to make convincing arguments about the benefits of your intervention that may not be easily seen.

This can be a highly effective tool for influencing decision makers and the community at large to understand the full impact and benefit of disaster risk interventions. 

New Judging Process

The addition of an independent counterfactual analysis will now be incorporated into the Averted Disaster Award judging process in the following way:

February 2nd, 2024: Applications Due

February: Judges will review and score all applications to determine the Top 5

March: Top 5 applicants notified

March-April: Counterfactual analysis conducted by independent risk analyst. Risk analyst will use the information from the original application as well as direct communication with the applicant for any additional information needed.

*Applicants must be available and provide requested information during this time frame in order to be eligible to receive the final counterfactual narrative.

May: Judges review the independent counterfactual narrative for the Top 5 applicants and factor this analysis together with the originally submitted application to determine the final winner.

June: Winner notified

Singapore – The Averted Disaster Award, dedicated to acknowledging successful disaster mitigation efforts worldwide, has officially launched its third call for nominations.  

Every year, natural disasters wreak havoc, claiming lives, devastating communities, and imposing substantial economic costs on the global economy. Yet, behind the scenes, disaster risk professionals and organizations work tirelessly to mitigate these catastrophic events. While media coverage often focuses on disasters, it rarely sheds light on successes; the structures saved due to earthquake-resistant building codes, the wildfires averted through effective forest management, or the lives spared thanks to timely evacuations. Disaster risk management (DRM) often faces the paradox that its failures are highly visible, while its successes go unnoticed.  

The Averted Disaster Award’s purpose is to spotlight achievements in DRM that often go unnoticed as a result of their success.  Applications are welcome from individuals, project teams, and organizations of all sizes, across various regions and industries.  The nominator does not need to have been directly involved in the intervention. Submission deadline is January 12, 2024. 

Interventions take many forms. The most obvious interventions are structural in nature, such as sea-walls or reinforced bridges. Certain activities, such as controlled forest burns, count as interventions too, since they reduce future wildfire risk. Financial products that manage disaster risk, such as flood insurance schemes, count as interventions as well. Interventions can also occur at the individual or community scale, where, for example, placing sandbags to protect critical locations such as grocery stores or hospitals can ensure that the community as a whole can recover more quickly from flash floods. It is important to keep in mind that interventions are proactive and not reactive: interventions are generally pre-meditated and implemented before the disaster occurs. 

The winning submission receives travel, accommodations and a complimentary ticket for one person to attend Understanding Risk 2024, in Tokyo Japan where the intervention will be announced as the winner and celebrated during a session.  Understanding Risk is the world’s largest forum for perspectives and innovations in global DRM.  Additionally, a documentary short film will be developed to showcase the intervention and featured prominently in ADA media and communications content. 

The Averted Disaster Award Selection Committee is composed of thought leaders and practitioners in the field of DRM.   Selection Committee members apply their expertise without bias to review applications and collaborate to determine the shortlist of finalists and winner of the ADA prize. Selection Committee members include: Shanna N. Mcclain. PHD (NASA, Disasters Program Manager), David Lallemant. PHD (Head of Disaster Analytics for Society Lab at Nanyang Technological University and the Earth Observatory of Singapore), Stéphane Hallegatte (Senior Climate Change Adviser at World Bank), and Dr. Olivia Jensen (Lead Scientist, LRF Institute for the Public Understanding of Risk, National University of Singapore). 

Judges assess each application against the following criteria: 1) level of impact of the disaster averted, 2) quality of evidence based results, 3) potential to replicate adapt and scale, 4) levels of inclusivity, equity and focus on the most vulnerable, 5) narrative clarity and contribution to understanding risk and risk mitigation.  The panel considers all case summaries submitted by the deadline, and choose the one that makes the best case for an effective disaster mitigation intervention.  

To date, two organizations have received the Averted Disaster Award. In 2022, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society was honored for its work implementing a forecast-based financing framework for vulnerable communities in Bangladesh during successive climatic events from May-July 2020. Recently, in October, The Amrita Center for Wireless Networks and Applications earned recognition for its work integrating landslide early warning technology and engaging communities for emergency preparedness and resilience in the Himalayas & Western Ghats regions of India. 

The ADA has also recognized the efforts of other organizations worldwide, including Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (Pakistan), Build Change (Philippines), University of the Philippines Resilience Institute for their Project NOAH, GeoHazards International for their project Landslide Safety Action Plan (India), BBC Media (Kenya), and Prepared International (Jordan, Israel, and Palestine). In the two years of ADA’s existence, nominations have been received for projects from all regions of the world. To discover some of these successful interventions, click here. 

About the Averted Disaster Award 

The Averted Disaster Award recognizes proactive interventions implemented around the world that help ensure that communities continue to function, thrive, and recover quickly in the face of disaster risk. The Averted Disaster Award is an initiative of the Understanding Risk community and is supported by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). 

For more information concerning the ADA, or if you or your company is interested in supporting the Averted Disaster Award, please contact info@averteddisasteraward.org 

Revolutionizing Disaster Management: Empowering Communities and Saving Lives through Technological Interventions

In recent years, India has been grappling with an escalating frequency of natural disasters, and among these, landslides have emerged as a particularly impactful threat. The Himalayan and Western Ghats regions in the country are especially vulnerable to landslides, leading to numerous casualties each year. To address this pressing challenge, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, India, has pioneered a ground-breaking solution – AI-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) Landslide Early Warning System (Amrita-LEWS).

Fighting Avalanche Risk in the High Mountains of Pakistan

Background 

The northern regions of Pakistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral (GBC), home to some of the world’s largest mountain ranges including the Hindu Kush, the Himalayas and the Karakorum. These regions are characterised by rough and rugged terrain.  Over 2 million people living in narrow gorges, foothills and steep terrains, face multiple natural hazards.  Winters are long, harsh and isolating with heavy snowfall.  According to news reports, only this year, some villages/valleys remained cut off from the rest of the country for more than 15 days (Nagri, 2023).  The northern mountainous regions of Pakistan experience heavy snowfall and regularly witness snow avalanches during the winter and spring seasons (Gurung et al., 2023). As such these natural hazards pose a constant threat to human life, property, and critical infrastructure in these high-altitude mountain communities of GBC. 

Averting disaster with the power of media: BBC MEDIA ACTION

As drought threatens traditional pastoral communities in Kenya and Somalia, BBC Media Action is supporting media programming that can help families adapt.

Earlier this year, the World Meteorological Organisation forecast yet another below-normal rainfall for Kenya and Somalia – the sixth consecutive season of poor rains in the last three years. 

The resulting drought has left an estimated 3.5 million people severely food insecure, and devastated the herds of traditional pastoral groups. An estimated 1.5 million animals have perished from depleted pastures and diminished water sources. In Marsabit, Samburu and Turkana counties in Kenya, over 90% of open water sources had gone dry, as of spring 2022. 

But information can help people make critical decisions and cope. And in these three worst-affected counties, families and communities have reported that they have been able to start kitchen gardens, harvest rainwater, improve how they manage their herds, and take other measures to help adapt their lives and livelihoods – because of stories shared and information they have learned through radio.