With 3 out of 4 people owning a mobile phone (in 2022), mobile networks have become a powerful communication channel to alert populations about an imminent hazard. Despite this, many countries have yet to implement a mobile-based Early Warning System (EWS), making it necessary for public and private sectors to collaborate and expedite the rollout process.

This Warnings Briefing Note, supported by the Global Disaster Preparedness Center/IFRC and produced by UCL Warning Research Center, explores the role of mobile-based early warning systems for effective and inclusive alerting. It covers state-of-the-art, key issues, examples, resources and recommendations to aid those working on policy and practice.

Other Briefing Notes in the series can be found here.