The GSMA Mobile for Humanitarian programme recently conducted research focussed on improving early warning systems (EWS) and risk communications in Tanzania and South Africa, respectively. Using human-centred design (HCD) methods, the research aimed to make EWS more inclusive by considering the lived experiences, preferences, and challenges of communities. In South Africa, the research targeted marginalised populations such as migrants, women, and older people, while in Tanzania, the focus was on identifying community preferences to enhance EWS effectiveness.
HCD methods revealed that effective EWS require multi-faceted solutions that align with the social, cultural, and behavioural dynamics influencing community actions. Discussions with stakeholders indicate that similar research is in high demand globally, with governments, nonprofits and the private sector working to better understand how to help communities prepare for the growing threats of climate change and rapid-onset weather disasters.
This report offers a practical roadmap for engaging communities and applying HCD research methods in other contexts. It shares insights from South Africa and Tanzania to illustrate some of the key principles these methods revealed for designing responsive, user friendly and contextually appropriate EWS solutions as well as methods and HCD tools for conducting similar research. Through such approaches, EWS stakeholders can develop EWS that are not only technically sound but also socially meaningful, ultimately saving lives and enhancing climate resilience.
