On Thursday evening, 18 September 2025, the Arab Youth Network for Sustainable Development organized the third session of its training program on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation. The session, titled “Disaster Preparedness and Early Warning Systems”, brought together 92 participants and was facilitated by a group of experts in the field.
The session highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness as an administrative process aimed at analyzing potential risks and putting in place prior arrangements that enable communities to respond effectively and in a timely manner. Participants were also introduced to the four stages of disaster management—mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery—with particular emphasis on practical tools such as contingency planning, preparing emergency kits, activating early warning systems, and community awareness initiatives.
Mr. Omar Fouad Bajunaid stressed:
“Understanding the local disaster context leads to the design of more effective early warning systems.”
He further added:
“Developing clear response plans and providing training and resources are essential for enabling communities to respond effectively after receiving a warning.”
Following the break, Mr. Jamal Saleh emphasized the same theme, elaborating on preparedness and response steps:
“Preparedness for disaster risks requires planning, adaptation, and following clear steps.”
He also underlined:
“Early warnings eliminate the element of surprise and help communities to be better prepared for disasters.”
The session further included real-world examples of natural, human-induced, and complex disasters, underscoring that preparedness is a shared responsibility. It concluded with a strong emphasis on the role of awareness-raising and capacity-building at the community level as the first line of defense in reducing disaster risks.
