Calvel, A, Werner, M, van den Homberg, M et al. (6 more authors) (2020) Communication Structures and Decision Making Cues and Criteria to Support Effective Drought Warning in Central Malawi. Frontiers in Climate, 2. 578327. ISSN 2624-9553
Abstract
Early warning systems trigger early action and enable better disaster preparedness. People-centered dissemination and communication are pivotal for the effective uptake of early warnings. Current research predominantly focuses on sudden-onset hazards, such as floods, ignoring considerable differences with slow-onset hazards, such as droughts. We identify the essential factors contributing to effective drought dissemination and communication using the people-centered approach advocated in the WMOs Multi-Hazard Early Warning System Framework (MHEWS). We use semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and focus group discussions with small-scale farmers in the Mangochi and Salima Districts of Malawi. We show that the timely release of seasonal forecast, the tailoring of the drought warning content (and its timing) to agricultural decision making, and the provision of several dissemination channels enhance trust and improve uptake of drought warning information by farmers. Our analysis demonstrates that farmers seek, prepare, and respond to drought warning information when it is provided as advice on agricultural practices, rather than as weather-related information. The information was found to be useful where it offers advice on the criteria and environmental cues that farmers can use to inform their decisions in a timely manner. Based on our findings, we propose that by focusing on enhancing trust, improving information uptake and financial sustainability as key metrics, the MHEWS can be adapted for use in monitoring the effectiveness of early warning systems.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 Calvel, Werner, van den Homberg, Cabrera Flamini, Streefkerk, Mittal, Whitfield, Langton Vanya and Boyce. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) |
Keywords: | Malawi, people centered design, effectiveness, communication and dissemination, drought warning, extreme events forecasting, developing countries |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) NE/S005900/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 03 Dec 2020 15:23 |
Last Modified: | 03 Dec 2020 15:23 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Frontiers Media |
Identification Number: | 10.3389/fclim.2020.578327 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:168640 |