Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks

Session title: Strengthening Early Warning Systems in Fragile, Conflict and Violence-affected Contexts

Organizer(s): UNDRR, WMO, ITU, IFRC, IOM

4 Mar 26 14:00-15:30 UTC+1

SessionAbstract

Session abstract:
Scaling up multi-hazard early warning systems is challenging yet crucial for countries in fragile, conflict- and violence-affected (FCV) contexts, as they are among the most climate-vulnerable. This session brings together leading operational, technical and protection agencies to explore how early warning and early action can be strengthened where governance is disrupted, access is limited, and millions of displaced people are systematically left out of existing systems. Drawing on outcomes from 2025 workshops and new joint guidance on early warning systems for mobility settings, the discussion will spotlight practical, scalable solutions and identify priority actions and financing opportunities to accelerate EW4All implementation in some of the world’s most complex environments.

The session will:
• Build on outcomes of 2025 workshop, including on Early Warning and Early Action in Least Developed Countries in Conflict and Post-conflict Situations in Africa, taking place in December 2025 in Nairobi and Lessons from a regional workshop on fragile, conflict-affected and violent settings in Asia-Pacific, that took place in June 2025.
• Highlight barriers that prevent timely, trusted and actionable early warnings in FCV settings such as access constraints, protection risks, disrupted institutions, limited monitoring infrastructure and the exclusion of displaced and hard-to-reach populations from risk assessments, monitoring networks and communication channels. Recent global assessments show that FCV contexts face some of the lowest levels of multi-hazard EWS coverage, weak disaster risk knowledge, severe gaps in monitoring infrastructure, and persistent last-mile communication barriers, particularly for people on the move.
• Discuss practical and scalable solutions drawn from the Nairobi workshop, including context-sensitive and people-centred risk profiling, decentralized monitoring systems, low-tech and redundant communication channels adapted to FCV constraints, trusted intermediaries, and models that strengthen operational linkages between humanitarian, development, peacebuilding and climate actors.
• Highlight linkages between Early Warning Systems and Anticipatory Action for Displacement for communities living in FCV and hazard-prone contexts, based on the progresses of the Working Group on Anticipatory Action for Displacement.
• Identify priority actions and fit-for-context financing opportunities to expand EW4All in FCV and displacement contexts, including approaches that can operate despite access constraints and limited national systems.
Target Audience:
• Humanitarian and development practitioners; DRM and civil protection authorities; climate and technical agencies (NMHS, telecom regulators); protection and displacement actors; AA partners; donors and regional organizations working in FCV, displacement and complex operational environments