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Red
Cross Red Crescent to launch early warning system in Aceh 1 September 2006 As experts in disaster preparedness from across the globe meet at the International Disaster Reduction Conference in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss strengthening global disaster preparedness and mitigation, Red Cross Red Crescent is launching the first phase of its part of an Aceh-wide multi-hazard early warning system, in Indonesia. The project, driven by the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia – PMI) with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Spanish, Canadian and Australian Red Cross Societies, will cover the entire province, with PMI’s Banda Aceh chapter providing a vital link between the Indonesian government’s early warning technology and the potentially vulnerable communities. According to Johan Schaar, Special Representative for the Tsunami Operation for the International Federation, the ability to link disaster mitigating information with vulnerable communities is the key to saving lives. “The success of any early warning system is very dependent on this local connection being forged,” said Mr. Schaar. “And this is where the Red Cross Red Crescent’s strength is most evident. Our unique network of volunteers can be mobilized immediately to share early warning and safety information at a community level. They are from the very communities that face imminent disaster, and are therefore best placed to take information the ‘last mile’ to where it is needed. Any discussion about early warning systems must take this into account.” Eighty PMI staff and volunteers have already received training in the use of radio handsets, and in communicating early warning information, skills they will disseminate further amongst their own communities. In all, 300 radio handsets will be distributed to specially trained staff and volunteers with ten vehicles fully equipped with radio equipment provided to PMI branches. A VHF (Very High Frequency) and HF (High Frequency) radio base station has been installed at PMI’s Banda Aceh chapter. The early warning system is linked by radio with PMI’s national headquarters in Jakarta, which is in turn in close touch with government disaster monitoring agencies. In the coming weeks 22 other base stations along with ten repeaters will be installed throughout the province of Aceh as well as Nias Island in North Sumatra. Edo, a PMI radio technician and trainer, stresses the importance of community awareness, alertness and participation. Communities, he says, must be prepared and know what to do when a warning comes. “The radios are only tools. It is the people themselves who can tell the difference between life and death. The key factor to reducing risk of disaster is to get the right information to the people at the right time. This is why we need the radio network.” For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Indonesia: Tessie Usapdin, Information Delegate Tel. + 62 812 100 3599 In Geneva: Matthew Cochrane, Tsunami Operations Media Officer Tel. + 41 79 308 9804 / +41 22 730 4426 Media Service Duty Phone Tel. + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 183 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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