Effectiveness of early-warning systems and disaster risk reduction for rural food security under hydro-meteorological hazards in Sub-Saharan Africa
Systematic review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19500561 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Degfie Teku (0009-0005-8003-8432, Mekdela Amba University, corresponding author), Getasew Daru Tariku (0000-0003-1877-7160, Mekdela Amba University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 101-122 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-02 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1350-4509 • E-ISSN: 1745-2627 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/13504509.2025.2595056 |
| OpenAlex | W4417094462 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 84 |
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces escalating hydro-meteorological hazards that disrupt rural food systems, intensify hunger, and undermine livelihoods. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from 2010 to August 2025 on the effectiveness of Early-Warning Systems (EWS) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) interventions in protecting rural food security. A PRISMA-style screening identified 320 records, with 29 duplicates removed, and 212 full-text articles assessed for eligibility, with data extracted independently by two reviewers. Sources include peer-reviewed studies, program evaluations, regional assessments, and institutional reports from FEWS-NET, ICPAC, IPCC, FAO, WFP, WHO, and CREWS. The review addresses three questions: (i) How effective are EWS in hazard detection, dissemination, and anticipatory action?; (ii) What are the impacts of DRR measures including social protection, risk financing, nature-based solutions, water management, and community-based approaches on food security?; and (iii) Which governance, institutional, and socio-economic factors facilitate or constrain adoption? Findings indicate EWS and DRR reduce vulnerability to droughts and floods when systems are reliable, people-centered, and linked to pre-arranged finance and delivery mechanisms. Integrated approaches combining early warnings with anticipatory cash, climate-smart land and water management, and inclusive social protection are most effective. Constraints include fragmented governance, underfunded hydromet-infrastructure, weak last-mile communication, insurance basis risk, and inequities excluding pastoralists, women, and remote communities. Emerging technologies-satellite monitoring, AI, IoT, drones, and digital advisories enhance forecasting if co-produced, ethically governed, and sustainably financed. Strengthening legal-frameworks, regional interoperability, shock-responsive social protection, and harmonized monitoring aligned with Sendai Target C and SDG-2 is essential for resilient, equitable, adaptive food systems in SSA
Disaster risk reduction · Food security · Food supply · Hazard · Natural disaster · Agricultural risk and resilience · Climate change impacts on agriculture · Disaster Management and Resilience
Food Security and the 2015–2030 Sustainable Development Goals
Climate change, food security, and livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa
Managing vulnerability to drought and enhancing livelihood resilience in sub-Saharan Africa
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The impact of food insecurity on health outcomes
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| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |