Global Implementation of Multi-Hazard Early Warning System

Disasters continue to wreak havoc and cost the lives of millions, and climate change has been pushing everything to the extreme. The world’s resilience relies on proper disaster risk management. An early warning system is a key instrument for disaster preparedness. How well is it being implemented globally?

Disaster Warnings

Between 1970 and 2021, the World Meteorological Organization recorded almost 12,000 disasters due to extreme weather, climate, and water-related events. They caused over 2 million deaths and USD 4.3 trillion of economic losses. Meanwhile, other large-scale disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis can be even more deadly and destructive.

In this case, an early warning system plays a major role in reducing casualties and economic loss. It is an integrated system of hazard monitoring, forecasting and prediction, disaster risk assessment, and communication and preparedness activities that enable timely action to reduce disaster risks.

Taking a step further, there is also the multi-hazard early warning system (MHEWS), which aims to address several potentially interrelated hazards that may occur simultaneously, cascadingly, or cumulatively over time. For example, a volcano eruption may bring about an earthquake and a tsunami.

The Multi-Hazard Early Warning System

The United Nations has adopted the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, which outlines targets and priorities to prevent new disaster risks and reduce existing ones. The framework recognizes the urgency and benefits of multi-hazard early warning systems to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the disaster risk approach, citing one of its goals as “substantially increasing the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030.”

There are four components to a multi-hazard early warning system with several checklist points:

• Disaster risk knowledge: Are key hazards and related threats identified? Are exposure, vulnerabilities, capacities, and risks assessed? Are the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders identified? Is risk information consolidated?
• Detection, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting of the hazards and possible consequences: Are there monitoring systems in place? Are there forecasting and warning services in place? Are there institutional mechanisms in place?
• Warning dissemination and communication: Are organizational and decision-making processes in place and operational? Are communication systems and equipment in place and operational? Are impact-based early warnings communicated effectively to prompt action by target groups?
• Preparedness and response capabilities: Are disaster preparedness measures, including response plans, developed and operational? Are public awareness and education campaigns conducted? Are public awareness and response tested and evaluated?

Global Implementation

Given its importance, the MHEWS framework is being implemented by countries worldwide, though at different speeds and levels of comprehensiveness. According to the UNDRR’s report on global MHEWS implementation, there were 108 countries reported having MHEWS in their governance as of March 2024, 55% higher compared to 2015.

Progress has been made, albeit slowly. However, the report notes several challenges in the framework’s implementation, including gaps in disaster risk knowledge, lack of operational systems and infrastructure, and weak data-sharing systems. For instance, only 38% of countries have multi-hazard monitoring and forecasting systems in place.

Good governance is fundamental to ensure robust implementation. It can enable clear roles and responsibilities, as well as support the sustainability and funding of the framework. Furthermore, collaboration and a thorough approach that can reach every level of society are also crucial. From local communities to businesses, every actor in society must be able to participate in advancing the early warning system, especially in light of the climate crisis.