Legal frameworks for early warning early action

This snapshot looks at how laws, policies and plans can detail what the actions are, when they happen, who is responsible for them, and how IFRC (International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) Disaster Law can support governments to strengthen legal frameworks for early action. Early action starts with legal frameworks. Mandating early action in laws policies, and plans ensures that they happen.

Legal frameworks enable governments to allocate resources for preparedness and early action measures, such as establishing early warning systems, pre-positioning emergency supplies, or ensuring emergency response funds are available. Legal provisions can also streamline decision-making processes during critical periods. The underlying rationale for early warning early action, is that pre-emptive, rather than responsive actions, are generally more effective at reducing the impacts of disasters, while also being more cost-efficient.