Early Warning Systems (EWS) are central to disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and resilience building. The global Early Warnings for All initiative calls for universal access to life-saving multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) by 2027. Yet, in practice, most systems labelled as “multi-hazard” still address multiple single hazards independently, rather than accounting for hazards that are interrelated—occurring consecutively, amplifying each other, or compounding in time and space. Evidence shows that such interrelated hazards often lead to greater impacts than isolated events, and that overlooking dynamic drivers of risk (exposure, vulnerability, inequality) can result in maladaptive outcomes.
This session seeks to advance both the methodological foundations and the practical implementation of truly multi-hazard EWS. We are interested in contributions spanning the four recognized components of MHEWS (as defined by WMO/UNDRR): (1) risk knowledge, (2) monitoring and forecasting, (3) dissemination and communication, and (4) response and preparedness. Cross-cutting aspects—such as governance and institutional arrangements, involvement of local communities, and the integration of gender, equity, and social considerations—are particularly welcome.
We invite abstracts that present:
- Methodological advances (e.g., conceptual frameworks and models for forecasting compound and cascading hazards; approaches to dynamic vulnerability and exposure; protocols for multi-hazard communication; methods to identify synergies and trade-offs in preparedness and response; advances in linking multi-hazard and multi-risk methodologies).
- Practical experiences (e.g., operationalization of anticipatory action, forecast-based financing, impact-based forecasting, and lessons learned from real-world MHEWS implementation).
- Research based on diverse methodologies, including statistical modelling, machine learning, systems analysis, scenario development, qualitative research, and participatory and survey-based approaches.
- Case studies across geographic contexts (Global South and Global North) and scales (local, national, regional, and global).
By bringing together methodological innovation and on-the-ground experiences, this session aims to critically assess progress toward multi-hazard EWS that genuinely reflect the complexity of risk, and to identify opportunities for accelerating their development and implementation worldwide.