Making Early Warning Systems Work for All: Evidence and Lessons from Last-Mile Communities

This report synthesizes findings from 15 GDPC-supported studies across 14 countries to examine why early warnings often fail to translate into timely, protective action — particularly for last-mile communities that are geographically isolated, socially marginalized, or economically vulnerable. Drawing on empirical research and complementary literature, the report highlights that early warning effectiveness is shaped not only by technical capacity, but by trust, inclusion, and the ability of people to act on the information they receive.

The analysis identifies recurring barriers and enabling practices across all four pillars of early warning systems — risk knowledge, hazard monitoring and forecasting, warning dissemination and communication, and preparedness to respond to warnings. It shows that inclusive engagement with communities, the integration of local and Indigenous knowledge, clear and accessible messaging, and adequate resourcing for early action are critical to ensuring warnings are received, understood, and acted upon. The findings underscore that no single communication channel reaches everyone and that people are most likely to respond to warnings delivered through trusted sources and redundant, context-appropriate channels.

Intended for practitioners, policymakers, donors, and researchers, this report serves as both a diagnostic and a practical guide for strengthening people-centered early warning and early action. By consolidating lessons from diverse hazards and contexts, it provides actionable recommendations to help systems move beyond technical delivery toward inclusive, accessible, and actionable early warning systems that work for all — especially those most at risk.