Designing and implementing more effective Integrated Early Warning Systems in mountain areas

A case study from Northern Italy

Bibliographic Data

ID9264657
AuthorsCarolina Inés Garcia (0000-0001-9005-3971, University of Milano-Bicocca, corresponding author), Carolina García (0000-0001-6524-600X)
Year2012
Volume100-1
Publication date2012-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueRevue de géographie alpine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0035-1121 • E-ISSN: 1760-7426
PublisherOpenEdition (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.4000/rga.1679
OpenAlexW2061773750
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited12

It is essential to consider and to understand the social context in which an Early Warning System (EWS) is planned and to integrate all of its components, otherwise it is likely to fail. EWS are complex tools for disaster risk reduction which are only effective if they generate an appropriate response in the exposed population. Any effective EWS relies on the reaction capacity of all stakeholders. This reaction capacity is strongly dependent on how well EWS are integrated within their social context, especially with regards to potential marginalized and vulnerable communities. This dependence was confirmed in the study area in Valtellina di Tirano, northern Italy, which is recurrently affected by multiple mountain hazards. The local population is geographically marginalized due to restricted access to the region and exposure to hazardous events, and socially marginalized due to the lack of participation in decision making. Results of a survey show that the local population has low levels of perceived risk, a general lack of self-responsibility with regard to disaster risk reduction, and a tendency to transfer the responsibility to the authorities. However, respondents acknowledge and show interest in addressing their lack of preparedness and in participating actively in disaster risk reduction efforts. A follow-up survey demonstrates that significant variations in vulnerability within a given community over time, occur together with changes in traditional livelihood activities, economic systems and population demographics

Business · Computer security · Context (archaeology) · Disaster risk reduction · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Geography · Livelihood · Political science · Population · Preparedness · Psychological resilience · Social vulnerability · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Vulnerability (computing) · Warning system · Computer Science · Disaster Management and Resilience · Engineering · Flood Risk Assessment and Management · Medicine · Psychology · Risk Perception and Management · Social Psychology

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