UNDP Cambodia Climate forecasters in Cambodia refer to data from the Early Warning System.
An estimated 111 million people are better protected from climate-related disasters thanks to early warning systems established by the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems Initiative (CREWS) in many parts of the world in 2022, according to the World Meteorological Organization's annual report released today.
90% of extreme events are caused by climate disasters, and climate change has directly led to more frequent climate disasters. In the face of this situation, early warning systems have proven to be an effective way to protect lives and livelihoods.
The Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems Initiative (EW4ALL), launched last year by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, aims to achieve the world's coverage of early warning systems by 2027.
Financing the most vulnerable countries
The initiative provides funding to least developed countries and small island developing States based on clear implementation procedures to establish early warning systems that can provide risk-informed information. In the coming years, 282 million people in these target countries will have access to better weather and climate services.
WMO Secretary-General Taalas noted that the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems initiative takes a people-centred approach that highlights the importance of community engagement and contributes to the transformation and improvement of meteorological and early warning services, human resilience and the completion of the "last mile" of action.
Focus on Africa
Currently, most of the projects funded by the initiative are implemented in Africa. In 2022, six countries received dust forecasts, which mitigated the risks faced by 90 million people; By improving mobile phone technology and alert practices, 15 countries in Central and West Africa now have better access to standardized early warning information. In addition, many African national institutions and communities have benefited from investments in the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems Initiative.
Inequality and conflict also exacerbate risks. Haiti is one of 23 countries affected by conflict or fragility supported by the initiative. At the same time, Haiti became one of the first 30 recipients in the world to be identified by the National Early Warning Initiative. Another beneficiary, Niger, received guidance assistance in responding to flash floods, reaching 12 million people.
The Pacific region is in the spotlight
Due to the impact of the world's most extreme climate-related events, the Pacific region is also a focus area for the National Early Warning Initiative. Last year, more than a million more people in the region were protected.
In anticipation of a more intense El Niño return, 9.5 million people in Papua New Guinea have now received drought counselling.
The Trust Fund requires additional funding
These country-specific projects are funded by the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems Initiative Trust Fund. Since its inception in 2015, the fund has received more than $105 million in capital injections.
Since 2021, capital injections into trust funds have increased by 36%. However, to continue to support its operations, the Trust Fund has an additional funding requirement of $155 million by 2025.
