Knowledge for Action in Prevention and Preparedness (KAPP)

Objective:Objective:Themes & priorities:Applicants are invited to select one or several of the following priorities:Priority 1: Increasing risk awareness and preparedness of the populationPopulation plays an important role in disaster prevention and preparedness and citizens are usually the first responders to disasters. National, sub-national and local authorities should cooperate, together with the private sector and civil society organisations, to i) increase disaster risk awareness and understanding of the population, ii) foster a culture of risk prevention and preparedness to risks, iii) create favourable conditions for individuals to actively engage in disaster risk reduction/DRM activities, iv) communicate appropriately during emergencies, v) fighting disinformation and information manipulation in the DRM domain.Evidence-based risk information and communication, as well as education activities, targeted to the public – including vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities– are effective tools to raise risk awareness, preparedness and contribute to response measures. A good understanding of everyone’s role in case of emergency will improve adherence to public warnings and instructions.This priority correlates with the Union disaster resilience goal No. 2: ‘Prepare - Increasing risk awareness and preparedness of the population’.Priority 2: Enhancing from early warning to early actionEarly warning systems are key elements for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in view of the recent extreme weather events and cascading impacts across sectors. Taking into account climate scenarios, and other new risks, the importance of advanced multi-hazard and risk warnings has never been more widely acknowledged. Although in Europe there is considerable experience with early warning systems, especially for weather and climate-related hazards, recent disasters have shown that more effort and collaboration is necessary to bring the alert to the right de