Connecting Early Warning and Anticipatory Action That Works for All – Panel Discussion Summary
This panel summary captures key insights from a session titled Connecting Early Warning and Anticipatory Action That Works for All convened by the Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) at the International Humanitarian Studies Association (IHSA) Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, on 15 October 2025, bringing together researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of Early Warning Systems (EWS) and Anticipatory Action (AA).
Drawing on evidence from Indonesia, India, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Somalia, Ethiopia, Nepal, and global Red Cross Red Crescent initiatives, the panel examined why technically sound early warning systems often fail to translate into timely action, particularly for marginalized and at-risk communities, and what is required to close this warning-action gap.
The summary highlights cross-cutting themes, including:
- The limits of technology-centered warning systems without social trust and enabling conditions
- The critical role of localization, community leadership, and lived experience
- The importance of anticipatory finance and cash in enabling early action
- The integration of indigenous knowledge with scientific forecasting
- The need to measure and strengthen trust in early warning systems
- Policy and institutional reforms required to sustain locally led innovations
The document synthesizes presentation highlights and discussion themes, offering practical lessons for policymakers, humanitarian practitioners, researchers, and donors seeking to design people-centered early warning and anticipatory action systems that work for all.