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Early Warning Systems

Being prepared in the face of extreme weather


 

Climate change is driving an alarming increase in disaster events like floods, wildfires, and cyclones. The devastation of these events is felt most acutely in vulnerable communities, where entire livelihoods are often wiped out in a single event. This is unjust and unnecessary, and it can be stopped.

Early Warning Systems provide an opportunity for people to take action, save lives and livelihoods, and reduce the impacts of disasters.


 

The problem

Over the past 50 years climate related disasters have surged fivefold. Projections suggest that by 2050 an additional 14.5 million lives could be lost, with damage valued at $12.5 trillion.

While some people receive warnings before disaster strikes, many do not. This is especially true for people in marginalised groups such as people with disabilities, women, indigenous groups and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Vulnerable communities often face multiple and simultaneous hazards, but existing Early Warning Systems (EWS) fail to account for these compounded risks. This gap in coverage can lead to catastrophic outcomes, as seen in Hawaii’s 2023 wildfire event, where a functional tsunami warning system existed, but the absence of a wildfire alert system resulted in $5bn damages.

It doesn’t have to be like this.

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A resilient man wading through a flooded street with determination, embodying the power of hope in action.

The solution

We can predict most hazards in good time and provide vulnerable communities with the right information, in the right way, and at the right time to prevent disaster.

It’s not just about technology — it’s about inclusion, equity, and listening to the voices that are too often ignored. With a blend of low-tech, high-tech, and no-tech solutions to make early warning available to all, we can save thousands of lives by enabling timely evacuations and strengthening resilience.

At Practical Action we have decades of experience in implementing EWS that save lives and protect livelihoods. Success requires diverse expertise: scientific knowledge, community mobilization, and effective governance. No single organization can provide all these skills, which is why we have proven the power of inclusive partnerships.

Together, we can create a scalable toolkit for inclusive EWS that can be adapted to any context and hazard. This strategy will empower communities all around the world, ensuring that no one is left behind in the face of climate-induced disasters.

Two construction workers in orange hard hats.

6x fewer

6x fewer people are killed by disasters in countries with an effective multi-hazard early warning system

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$16 billion

Investing $800million in developing countries would avoid losses of up to $16 billion every year

A yellow triangle with an exclamation sign, symbolizing caution or danger.

1m people

Since April 2021, we've provided nearly 1 million people with high quality early warning systems

A woman standing by the water, illustrating the human impact of the climate crisis.
An image: Deborah blows a whistle during a disaster resilience training exercise. She volunteers in the local ‘brigade’, helping to give her community vital early warnings in the face of destructive floods and landslides.

What makes an effective Early Warning System?

Read about the essential components to include when designing effective Early Warning Systems.

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People in Nepal with colourful flags

Practical Action’s work in EWS

Find out more about our decades of work and experience in Early Warning Systems.

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