Early Warning is the first step in the Peace By Us approach to conflict prevention. It involves community members paying attention to subtle signs of tension—such as hate speech, unusual gatherings, increased movement of people, or growing distrust—and documenting and sharing them through trusted channels.
Each community formed an Early Warning-Early Response (EWER) committee, made up of local leaders, women, youth, and others trained to observe, verify, and report potential threats. These committees meet regularly and feed information into wider networks that include traditional rulers, security agencies, and government actors.
By staying alert and connected, communities are empowered to take action before violence breaks out.
Once a potential conflict has been flagged, Early Response mechanisms kick in. These can include community dialogue, targeted advocacy, media campaigns, or psychosocial support—depending on the nature of the threat.
EWER committees don’t act alone. They collaborate with trained Dialogue Facilitators, lay counsellors, local media officers, and youth influencers to address root causes and calm tensions.
Response options are never one-size-fits-all. What matters is acting quickly, inclusively, and nonviolently.
