Natural Hazards and Climate Change in Kenya: Minimizing the Impacts on Vulnerable Communities Through Early Warning Systems - Reducing Disaster: Early Warning Systems for Climate Change - page 357

residents (including farmers, women, teachers, business owners, children, etc.).
This group will be in charge of following EWS closely and preparing their com-
munity for the possibility of a fl ood. They will participate in training related to fl ood
mitigation, livestock management during fl oods, crop loss prevention techniques,
women's role in the EWS, and evacuation and rescue procedure. They will be
responsible for raising awareness and holding meetings, discussion, and training
within their local community in order to transfer the information to them. They can
be involved in attempts to fl ood-proof their community and organize drills for evac-
uation and rescue plans.
This creates a sense of empowerment as they are involved directly in the mitiga-
tion measures within their community (Otiende 2009 ). Ensuring that this community-
level group is created well in advance to a specifi c fl ood threat will guarantee
sustainability in local fl ood management. Capacity building to ensure that they have
the skills to implement fl ood prevention plans and participatory rural appraisal
within their own communities will minimize the impact of the disaster locally, espe-
cially in vulnerable groups.

19.7.3 Improving Infrastructure and Planning

Regular drainage clearing, proper waste management, introducing fl ood-proof
homes and land-use planning are essential in building resilience in these communi-
ties (Wamuchiru 2012 ). Unprepared human settlements in fl oodplains are a recipe
for disaster, thus, ensuring these areas are clear of homes can secure residents from
impact. This can be done at a government level and special attention to the informal
sector is necessary in order to implement this effectively.

19.7.4 Building Trust Between Climate Experts and Local

Communities to Support Effective EWS

Different ways to overcome communication barriers with the local communities
have been identifi ed in previous research. Providing farmers with accurate and
locally useful forecasts is one solution to restore trust in the EWS, but won't be suf-
fi cient. Doing so also requires education on risk and preparedness options, as well
as enhanced dialog between local farmers and climate scientists. Open dialog is
necessary to build climate products that refl ect farmers' needs in terms of warnings.
Moreover, scientists would gain from using traditional knowledge of climate to
build early warnings (see previous chapter). Local farmers are witnesses of their
own environment and the fi rst to notice changes and potential risks. Furthermore,
local “ordinary” knowledge has a great infl uence on the way farmers respond to
possible hydro-meteorological stresses (Archer 2003 ).