When disasters strike, Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers are often among the first to provide relief to victims. But in most cases, we can save more lives and reduce more suffering if we can act before a disaster. We have known for decades now that it is much more effective to evacuate people before a flood than to rescue people during the flood, or to provide relief to its victims. It is also much more effective to support farmers to find alternative livelihood options than to provide food aid when the harvest has failed. The Red Cross and Red Crescent are investing more into people-centred early warning systems so that their early action (preparedness and mitigation/prevention) are suited to face the rising risks of extreme weather events as a result of climate change.
The handbook 'Early Warning, Early Action' is developed by the IFRC and is the Red Cross Red Crescent answer to rising climate risks.
'Early warning, early action' is the overarching theme of the IFRC's planning process. Read more in their World Disasters Report 2009 - focus on early warning, early action 
Watch the 'Early warning, early action' video on the YouTube channel of the IFRC.
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Using Climate Forecasts for Early Action to Save Lives in the West/Central Africa Zone
With the onset of climate change, the Federation and National Societies must be ready for the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events such as more intense precipitation. The 2008 actions of the IFRC's West and Central Africa Zone Office provide a model for the Movement to improve and scale-up the use of climate information, allowing translation of early warnings into early action for better disaster management and response: read more. Subsequently, the West and Central Africa zone and African Centre of Meteorological application for Development (ACMAD) have signed a cooperation agreement to be better prepared for climate change related challenges. This is the first such agreement in sub-Saharan Africa between a humanitarian organization and a climate institute. Read full article .
More IFRC news: Humanitarians must adopt a new mindset and respond to the global economic crisis by fostering a cost-effective culture of prevention .
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Examples of 'Early Warning, Early Action' (source: IFRC)
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In early December 2009, the Senegal Red Cross and partners convened a workshop in St. Louis, Senegal, one of the African cities most threatened by climate change. During this workshop a game designed by the Parsons School of Design was introduced to bridge the gap between Red Cross staff, climate experts and a vulnerable community. A low-res version of the film can be watched here .
More information can be found at the 'early warning' section of the Links pages
Climate change can act as a catalyst for enhanced disaster management.
Many national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies will be touched by the health implications of climate change.
Routinely taking humanitarian action before a disaster or health emergency happens, making full use of scientific information on all timescales.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent never works in isolation. Partnerships are more important than ever in the context of global warming.
The global climate is changing and the past no longer explains the present.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent has traditionally focused on response. But now other aspects, including risk reduction, are also given priority.
Red Cross Red Crescent youth take action to reduce the impacts of climate change.
The Red Cross Red Crescent has a growing body of experience working on addressing climate change. Here’s how to use it to get started.
Take a look at Red Cross Red Crescent climate change activities on the worldmap
(pdf, 85 kB)
The Climate Guide contains the experiences of over thirty national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. Read more
