Early warning mechanisms rely on technology, and mitigation often means having the right materials to withstand natural threats. In practice, the effects of natural disasters such as droughts and floods can be mitigated with relatively low-cost technologies. More important is the social organisation of the communities as risk. Early warning only works if the social networks exist to spread the information. Preparedness schemes only work if they can rely on involvement of those they are meant to serve.
Preparedness needs to be embedded in a longer-term involvement.
B. Women Women carry the brunt of most emergencies, but at the same time, they are key actors in development. Investing in poor women, through literacy training, other education, nutrition, reproductive health care and productive activities leads to increased household resilience against disasters. Women and children are key to preparedness and prevention. Local and international aid agencies need to tap into the work, skills and knowledge of the women in a community to successfully formulate a preparedness strategy. C. Regional differences Disasters are similar and yet very different in different places.