Throughout 2024, the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems Initiative (CREWS) has successfully delivered a growing portfolio of effective programmes which bring lifesaving and livelihood-supporting early warning systems to people living in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Nearly 400 million people living in LDCs and SIDS have access to forecasts and early warning services developed or improved with CREWS support since its inception in 2015. To date, the programme has supported 77 countries, more than a third of which are affected by conflict or fragility.
The CREWS 2024 annual report "Achieving with confidence navigating uncertainty " demonstrates the progress made by CREWS throughout 2024 despite an increasingly challenging national and global environment.
"The highlights featured in this report show we can be increasingly confident in CREWS' impact, in our use of learning, in the strength and depth of our partnerships and in our value offer in a rapidly evolving and uncertain context," writes Gerard Howe, Head, Climate Resilience Department, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and outgoing Chair of the CREWS Steering Committee.
CREWS also continues to prove itself to be a key delivery mechanism for the achievement of the UN Secretary-General's goal of Early Warnings for All by 2027.
"We all share the same vision of inclusive, accessible, and actionable early warning systems. It is a moral obligation, and it makes economic sense. Early warnings work. We must make them work for everyone, everywhere," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
The CREWS 2024 annual report was launched on the opening day of the Global Early Warnings for All Multi-Stakeholder Forum.
Achievements since 2015:
- 397.6 million people living in LDCs and SIDS have gained access to forecasts and early warnings developed or improved with CREWS support so far.
- USD 929.2 million resources leveraged by the World Bank since 2015.
- USD23.5 million contributed in 2024.
CREWS needs an additional 78.8 million USD in funding to address immediate demand.
2024 Highlights
Africa: 39 countries assisted in 2024. CREWS supported: forecast-based financing in Ethiopia, capacity strengthening in Chad; a National Framework for Climate Services in Malawi; an Early Warning for All Roadmap in Mozambique; a new strategic plan in Seychelles.
Asia-Pacific: 20 countries assisted in 2024. CREWS supported: community-based flood management support in Cambodia; disaster risk reduction action plan both at national and village-level; flash flood and weather warnings in Afghanistan;
Caribbean: 17 countries and territories assisted in 2024. CREWS supported the Caribbean 2.0 regional programme, as well as country support in Haiti and Belize.
CREWS financing members are Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherland, Norway, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.
CREWS' Implementing Partners are the WMO, World Bank/Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, Kamal Kishore, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for Infrastructure, World Bank spoke at the launch event.
The CREWS Steering Committee outgoing and incoming Chairs, Gerard Howe and Francis Pigeon, introduced its video, followed by the presentation of the Anticipation Hub 2024 Global Overview report video.
This year marks its eight report. For the first time, it is available in an expanded interactive digital format, broadening access and engagement.
