Today’s Meet the Partner interview is with Vanessa Gray of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Among her responsibilities, Vanessa is the ITU focal point for the UN’s Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative and coordinates the Warning Dissemination and Communication pillar, to ensure that alerts reach people at risk. Vanessa is well-placed to lead the ITU’s efforts in the initiative, as she is responsible for developing and overseeing projects and technical assistance on disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. ITU is at the forefront of UN efforts to ensure that communication technologies reach everyone around the world, including when disasters strike, and today, Vanessa talks about some of the most important work the ITU is doing in this area.
1. Tell us about the work of ITU, and why it is so important.
ITU plays an important role in highlighting the role of digital technologies and information and communication technologies (ICTs) for disaster risk reduction and management, including through the design of National Emergency Telecommunication Plans (NETP) and the setting up of early warning and monitoring systems.
The incredible growth in ICT networks and services, including radio, satellite and mobile services, means that the opportunity is there for more people to be reached and alerted in a timely manner. Mobile early warning systems are particularly effective, with mobile coverage reaching most of the global population, and 4 out of 5 people owning a mobile phone. Yet, only 45 countries currently leverage this potential by sending alerts directly to mobile handsets. This is something ITU wants to change.
2. What other early warning/early action initiatives are you working on?
While encouraging more countries to adopt mobile early warning systems is a priority, we are also exploring other technologies like satellite systems and direct-to-device satellite service for emergency warnings. These alternatives help close coverage gaps, especially in remote areas or during disasters when mobile networks fail, ensuring alerts still reach affected populations.
We are also exploring AI’s potential in EWS through the AI for EW4All sub-group. AI can improve how we predict and respond to disasters, making warnings more accurate and timely. One example is our collaboration with Microsoft and UNDRR to integrate the ITU Disaster Connectivity Map (DCM) with satellite imagery and AI to assess connectivity. This work helps identify populations at risk that may lack access to early warnings due to insufficient electricity or connectivity.
3. How has being a REAP Partner helped you scale up your work?
REAP has significantly supported our efforts in two key ways: First, the diverse network of REAP partners has helped us raise awareness about the transformative role of digital technologies in disaster risk management. Many countries and partners remain unaware of the potential of these technologies, and through REAP, we have been able to connect with key organizations that can help drive progress. These partnerships have been instrumental in bringing the right stakeholders to the table, facilitating dialogue, and fostering collaboration.
Second, REAP has provided us with access to a global network of experts who support our work across the full value chain of Early Warning Early Action interventions. While ITU’s focus under Pillar 3 is on communication channels and technologies, these systems are only effective if we can identify the at-risk communities and ensure that they understand how to respond during a disaster. If any element of the early warning value chain fails, the entire system is compromised. REAP’s expertise has been important in ensuring that all pillars work in harmony to protect vulnerable populations.
I’d also like to express my gratitude to the REAP Secretariat for their support and inputs. Their expertise has been essential in guiding our work and scaling up early warning initiatives.
4. What do you see as the next 1-2 priorities to tackle so that we can take early action to scale?
One of our top priorities is increasing awareness among policymakers and key stakeholders about the potential of digital technologies. It is essential to engage mobile network operators to ensure the successful implementation of cell-broadcast technology. Collaboration is key—only by involving all relevant stakeholders can we build a system that is resilient, reliable, and capable of reaching those most at risk.
Another priority is strengthening multi-sectoral coordination and governance. Successful early warning systems require engagement from telecom operators, government agencies, local authorities, and humanitarian organizations, but also a clear governance structure. By fostering these partnerships, we can create an integrated approach that ensures no one is left behind when disasters strike.