Early warning systems reach new heights, but critical gaps jeopardize global progress
BELÉM, Brazil – The number of countries with reported Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems has reached a record high of 119 countries. Moreover, the comprehensiveness of these systems has improved by 45% since 2015, reflecting enhanced capabilities. Yet, critical gaps remain underscoring the urgent need for increased investment to achieve Early Warnings for All, according to a new report from the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems 2025 report, launched today at the COP30 Belém Climate Summit, provides a snapshot of progress in the implementation of the UN's flagship Early Warnings for All initiative, which aims to protect every person on Earth with an early warning system by 2027.
The report reveals measurable progress, with 119 countries, or 60% of all countries, now reporting the existence of a Multi-Hazard Early Warning System. This is a 113% increase over the past 10 years. However, coverage gaps persist, especially among small island developing States, as only 43% of them reported having systems in place.
Comprehensiveness scores for system capabilities have increased by an average of 45% across all regions. Africa has seen the greatest progress since 2015, with a 72% increase in the comprehensiveness, but it remains the region with the lowest scores.
The report also places special focus on emerging hazards that are intensifying, including extreme heat, wildfires, and glacial lake outburst floods, which pose new threats that many existing warning systems are not equipped to handle.
“The climate crisis is accelerating. Record-breaking wildfires, deadly floods, super storms… shattering lives, economies, and decades of progress,” warned UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, where he called for “drastically increasing investments in adaptation and resilience, and delivering Early Warnings for All by 2027.”
The report urges governments to unite around achieving universal early warning protection by accelerating targeted financial investments, strengthening risk governance, and ensuring that all systems are co-developed with local communities to ensure no one is left behind.
“Disasters are neither natural nor inevitable. And even in the face of a growing climate crisis, we can put a stop to spirals of growing disaster losses,” said Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Head of UNDRR, adding, “To reverse these trends, countries must accelerate the full implementation of the Sendai Framework in the remaining five years. This requires prioritising financing for resilience.”
“On a daily basis, we see destructive weather - most recently in Jamaica, the Philippines and Viet Nam. Each event leaves lasting impacts on communities, economies and ecosystems. The scars remain long after the headlines,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. “Without advance forecasts, early warnings and early action, the loss of life would have been much, much higher.”
While pre-disaster anticipatory action is gaining momentum, the report identifies the need for further strengthening disaster risk knowledge, which has seen a 16% improvement since 2022. Less than one-third of all countries report having capabilities for risk knowledge, which is the foundation for all other components of an effective warning system.
Key Findings
- Early warning systems save lives: Disaster-related mortality is nearly six times lower in countries with more comprehensive Multi-Hazard Early Warning System capabilities compared to countries with limited capabilities.
- Coverage is improving, but gaps remain: 60% of all countries now report having a Multi-Hazard Early Warning System, but variations exist between regions, with the highest coverage percentage in Asia-Pacific (72%) and the lowest coverage in the Americas and Caribbean (51%). Among countries in special situations, small island developing States have the lowest coverage (43%).
- Comprehensiveness matters: Having an early warning system is not enough - all four pillars of the system must function properly – that is the measure of comprehensiveness. Globally, there is a 45% improvement in the average comprehensiveness score since 2015. That said, the Least Developed Countries have the lowest comprehensiveness scores, despite doubling.
- Risk knowledge should be further strengthened: The number of countries reporting limited capabilities around risk knowledge has more than halved in the last year; however, it remains the least developed early warning pillar globally. Roll-out of the DELTA Resilience disaster tracking system is expected to help address this.
- Greater early action: The number of evacuees has increased dramatically in the last year, especially within the Arab States region, indicating that more countries and communities are taking pre-emptive action.
- Finance and technology divide: While funding is increasing, it is not always targeted and sustained for the long-term operation and maintenance of systems. A persistent "digital divide" limits the reach of new technologies.
- People-centered systems work: People-centered, locally led approaches that are underpinned by communication and dialogue are essential for enabling effective early action.
The release of this report coincides with the launch of a new Extreme Heat Risk Governance Framework and Toolkit, offering practical guidance to help authorities strengthen decision-making and coordination to proactively address extreme heat. Developed by UNDRR, WMO, and the Global Heat Health Information Network in consultation with governments, multilateral development banks, and experts, the Framework and Toolkit contribute to answering the UN Secretary-General's Call to Action on Extreme Heat.
About the Report
The Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems 2025 is an annual publication by UNDRR and WMO since 2022. It tracks global progress against Target G of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and serves as the primary monitoring report for the Early Warnings for All initiative.
About Early Warnings for All
The Early Warnings for All initiative was launched by the UN Secretary-General in 2022. It aims to ensure that every person on Earth is protected by an early warning system by 2027. The initiative is co-led by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), with support from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting international cooperation in atmospheric science and meteorology.
WMO monitors weather, climate, and water resources and provides support to its Members in forecasting and disaster mitigation. The organization is committed to advancing scientific knowledge and improving public safety and well-being through its work.
For further information, please contact:
- Clare Nullis WMO media officer cnullis@wmo.int +41 79 709 13 97
- WMO Strategic Communication Office Media Contact media@wmo.int