Early warning systems and early action in fragile, conflict, and violent contexts: Addressing growing climate & disaster risks
This policy paper presents key considerations and calls for action to ensure countries in contexts of fragility, conflict and violence are supported by all relevant EWS stakeholders and especially donors, humanitarian and development agencies and civil society actors.
The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative launched by the UN Secretary‐General in November 2022 at COP27 aims for the whole world to be protected by an early warning system by the end of 2027. While important attention and resources have been directed towards putting the initiative into practice, a greater focus is needed on how fragile, conflict‐ and violence‐affected countries can successfully implement early warning systems, including elements of systems that may need to be adapted or developed.
To address existing needs and to support the success of EW4All, the Centre of Excellence for Climate and Disaster Resilience (Centre of Excellence) – which is jointly led by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and currently comprises fourteen international organisations plus partners 4 – is committed to assisting the establishment and strengthening of early warning systems in FCV contexts, so as to ensure that communities living in these situations aren’t left behind.
