Exploring the role of early warning systems in enhancing early response to climate disasters in lowlands Ethiopia: the case of Borana pastoralist area

The study explores the role of early warning systems (EWS) in enhancing early response to climate-induced disasters, focusing on the Borana pastoralist community in Ethiopia. The primary purpose of the research is to understand how early warning systems can be improve disaster preparedness and brought early response. The study employs a qualitative research approach, utilizing in-depth interviews, focus group discussions to gather diverse perspectives from local communities and stakeholders and secondary data review. The study focused on the by four key elements early warning system of Risk knowledge, monitoring and warning system, communication and dissemination system, and response capacity to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate-related risks, particularly droughts under formal and informal EWS. Based on the research question the finding of research shows that integrating traditional and scientific EWS creates framework for disaster risk reduction. The study also found that early warning provides early and on time alerts regarding upcoming hazards, community and individual effectiveness of warning message influenced by community’s risk knowledge, understandable and accessibly warning messages, mean of communication and existing response capacities. The study contributes to the issues of climate change induced disasters as main area in the development studies program by emphasizing on the role of EWS to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities. The study finding also shows that the response to drought Borana pastoralist area is delayed at early stages and starts as the drought become more severe levels. It also highlights the need for technology in risk assessment, monitoring, and communication to follow-up indicators early, identify drought sooner and communicate effectively to mitigate the severity and intensity of drought events.