delivery of effective early warning systems: disaster risk knowledge; detection monitoring, analysis and
forecasting of the hazards and possible consequences; warning dissemination and communication; and
preparedness and response capability.
Limited resources and increasing threats necessitate a reassessment of responsibilities for early warnings and actions. In this blog, we summarise the results of the REAP paper on the 'Roles of State and Non-State Actors in Early Warning and Early Action' and explore how we can best address these challenges.
The necessity of proactive risk management
As a diverse global community, we recognise the need to improve climate risk management using early warning systems (EWS) and early action plans. EWS can reduce the burden on overstretched humanitarian aid during and after disasters and lower the cost of reactive disaster responses. Furthermore, well-designed, and accessible early warnings remain one of the keys to sustainable development, by enabling economic resilience in the face of changing climate risks.
Many vulnerable people still do not have access to effective early warning systems. Government capacity to deliver EWS can be hindered by funding and resource constraints, lack of public trust, and ineffective communication of warnings. Groups like women, children, people living in poverty, persons with disabilities, elderly people, migrants, non-native language speakers, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalised groups are often left out of planning. As a result, early warning systems and action plans often do not take these groups into account.
Technological advancements have significantly improved EWS, especially in monitoring, forecasting, and disseminating warning messages. Today, EWS cover about two-thirds of the global population. However, many least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing states (SIDS), and fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS)—the regions most impacted by climate change—still lack effective EWS. In these contexts, national and local governments may lack the ability to develop effective systems, leading to inadequate preparedness and response to hazards.
The importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships
Can collaboration between state and non-state actors be the missing link to creating truly inclusive and effective early warning systems?
Partnerships between different types of organisations and stakeholders, including public and private, from the local to the global, create a shared way to manage services. These collaborations can help governments solve problems more effectively by bringing ideas and information from different experiences. However, governments are crucial for bringing these groups together to create and review laws, policies, and plans for early warning and action, ensuring coordination, alignment, sustainability, and complementarity of initiatives.
To establish effective early warning systems, it is essential to acknowledge their inherent complexity and the diverse range of actors involved in their delivery and operation. Despite progress in addressing various sectoral needs with early warnings, further efforts are required to ensure partnerships are inclusive and specifically designed for those most vulnerable to climate hazards. Effective collaborations often involve government agencies, private companies, universities, civil society organisations, community groups, Indigenous organisations, international agencies, NGOs, local governments, media, and communities. By collaborating, stakeholders can ensure that early warning systems are effective, utilised, and user-friendly, supporting disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and sustainable development through clear communication.
Information ecosystems in multi-stakeholder partnerships
The EWEA value chain, which links science, data, and observations to preparedness and action at national and local levels, involves a complex network of actors and organisations. It is well understood that these mechanisms can fail if messaging lacks clarity, user needs are not considered, or there is an implementation gap due to lack of capacity or resources. Information ecosystems describe the flow and use of information between all relevant EWS actors. Effective EWEA systems require mapping the information flow from, for example, national disaster management organisations to local governments and communities (and back again). Addressing multiple, interconnected crises requires understanding the relationships, preparedness, and responses needed from various actors in this chain. Distributing responsibilities among stakeholders can enhance EWEA delivery, optimise resource use, and promote collaboration and capacity building.
Eight key recommendations:
- Acknowledge Diverse EWS Capacities Across Stakeholders
The importance of local-level capacities needed for supporting marginalised and vulnerable communities, especially in LDCs, SIDS and FCAS, should be prioritised. Recognise that the private sector and informal partners can have access to relevant EWS data, emphasising the importance of information and data sharing, capacity building, and collaboration. - Ensure EWS Co-Design Processes Incorporate Local Stakeholders
To make EWS truly effective, local actors such as NGOs, CBOs, and CSOs must be included in the design and implementation processes. Shifting to a people-centred, inclusive approach is essential, focusing on the early actions needed by at-risk populations. - Establish Clear and Inclusive Governance Structures
Clear roles among non-state actors must be defined to enhance alignment and collaboration in EWS development. This includes establishing inclusive governance structures that ensure all relevant stakeholders are involved in decision-making processes, facilitating better coordination and more effective early warning and early action strategies. - Prioritise Trust-Building in Partnerships
The development of trust within partnerships, especially between state and non-state actors, requires understanding and acceptance of differences. Trust is dynamic and built on both cognitive and emotive elements and can be developed around focused collaboration and co-production. - Ensure Diverse and Sustainable EWS Funding
Sustainable funding is crucial for LDCs, SIDS, and FCAS, who face diverse challenges. Marginalised and vulnerable communities should be central to funding plans and projects in these contexts. A shift from disaster response to preparedness (supporting resilience) requires sustained quality investment. Establishing consortia for donor-funded projects and private sector engagement can stimulate coordination. - Address Political Dimensions in Fragile Contexts
In fragile contexts, it is vital to advocate for transparent and non-political EWS. Building collaborative partnerships that consider political, historical, and cultural contexts will help create a more effective and resilient early warning system. These partnerships can enhance the credibility and acceptance of EWS, ensuring better preparedness and response. - Link EWS to International Processes
Early warnings should be advocated as a global public good. Integrating warning data and supporting capacity-building programmes on an international scale will enhance the effectiveness of EWS. By linking these systems to global processes, stakeholders can benefit from shared knowledge, resources, and best practices, fostering a more coordinated approach. - Implement MEAL Frameworks in EWS
Continuous monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) processes should be employed to help build community ownership and to ensure that the systems remain effective and relevant. By assessing and refining EWS, stakeholders can enhance their capacity to respond to disasters and mitigate their impact, while enhancing sustainable development.
Strengthening EWS requires collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. The recommended actions support inclusive, people-centered approaches, sustainable funding, and effective partnerships, ensuring comprehensive disaster risk reduction and response for at-risk populations.
Further information:
- Access and download the 'The Roles of State and Non-State Actors in Early Warning and Early Action' paper here.
- Access and download the executive summary of the paper here.