The government of the Maldives has prepared a roadmap to enhance the disaster warning system to prevent and minimise natural disasters. The programme to establish the disaster warning system was officiated during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), which was held in November 2022.
The programme under the name Early Warning for All Initiative (EW4All) is a groundbreaking initiative to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through life-saving early warning systems by the end of 2027. Decisions were made during the summit such that all nations prepare a roadmap, to establish the system. The Maldives was one of the first countries designated by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) to develop the roadmap.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with the Maldives Meteorological Service, convened a workshop named Inclusive Communication for Maldives Early Warning Systems to kickstart this initiative. The workshop, spanning two days, saw the participation of 50 employees from relevant authorities.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the workshop, Secretary General of NDMA Safeenaz Hassan stated that Maldives was the first country from the region to implement the works of the programme. She further noted that Maldives is the first country to develop the strategy and the first nation to adopt and publish the national roadmap for the initiative. Highlighting that several countries within Asia have been facing various natural disasters, Safeenaz expressed confidence that the damages can be minimised if the disaster warning system is enhanced.
The workshop focused on ensuring inclusivity, providing strategies for providing early warnings to all segments of society, including individuals with disabilities. NDMA anticipates that these efforts will lay a solid foundation for a robust early warning system that protects all residents from natural disasters.