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Disaster Warning and Response Systems in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Regions

Following the tsunami disaster of 26th December 2004, the Secretaries-General of the Commonwealth, Caricom, Indian Ocean Commission and Pacific Islands Forum decided to examine ways in which they could collectively reduce the future impact of natural disasters by strengthening advance warning networks across international borders. Recognising that advance disaster warning networks were already in place in many parts, they started by collating information on the warning and response systems in each region.

The Commonwealth Secretariat then commissioned a review of current international efforts to strengthen advance warning systems. This report incorporates the regional findings and is a valuable resource on the current status of systems in small states. Technical experts also met (Barbados, 8-9 August 2005), to review the results and formulate recommendations on the role that Secretaries-General could play, by: generating political will and leadership at all levels; sharing of experiences and the development of pooled capacity and expertise; and promoting and monitoring the integration of disaster risk reduction in efforts on the MDGs and PRSPs.

Regional Reports

Final Expert Meeting Summary

Final Report on DWRS

Mandate Statement by Secretaries-General