Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems — Target G

October 14, 2022

The report titled “Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems — Target G” was jointly released by United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on the occasion of International Day for Disaster Reduction (October 13).

Key findings

The findings of the report are based on the assessment of the data from the Sendai Framework Monitor (SFM) – an online tool the enables the member states to report their progress on the targets of The Sendai Framework (2015-2030).
Target G of the Sendai Framework seeks to increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) and disaster risk information and assessment by the year 2030.
The recently released report found that 50 per cent the countries in the world do not have early warning systems to prepare against natural disasters.
Africa, South America and several countries in Arab and Caribbean region have very low coverage of MHEWS.
On average, at least 40% of countries in every region have reported the use of MHEWS.
Less than half of Least Developing Countries (LDC) and only 33 per cent of Small Island Developing Countries have MHEWS.
The number of deaths in countries with limited early warming coverage is eight times higher than in countries with substantial to comprehensive coverage.
An early warning system is up to the mark if it covers the four elements – risk knowledge, technical warning and monitoring service, communication and dissemination of warnings and community response capability.
The recent report called for the increased investment in all these elements, with a particular focus on risk knowledge to improve disaster planning and boosting capacity of at-risk community for early action.
It also called for increasing investments in data and technology for strengthening hazard monitoring, faster warning dissemination and better tracking of progress.
It also recommends rating of effectiveness of the MHEWS, especially in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing countries.

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