Kenya has launched the "Early Warnings for All" (EW4All) initiative, aimed at strengthening the country’s preparedness and resilience to climate-related disasters.
The initiative is based on four key pillars: data collection and risk assessments to better understand hazards and vulnerabilities; the development of hazard monitoring services and early warning systems; communication of risk information to affected populations. Additionally, it focuses on strengthening national and community capacities to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
EW4All was launched globally by the United Nations and its partners in 2022, with the goal of ensuring that, by 2027, all people on Earth are protected by early warning systems in case of disasters.
"This is a bold and timely effort to ensure that every Kenyan has access to timely, life-saving information before disasters strike," emphasized Environment Minister Deborah Mlongo Barasa, adding, "We reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration by allocating 5% of the national disaster risk management budget to modernizing early warning systems."
Kenya has increasingly faced climate-related disasters, particularly affecting communities in arid and semi-arid regions. According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), in 2024, floods from March, April, and May affected around 410,000 people, caused 315 deaths, and resulted in losses estimated at $1.4 billion.
In an effort to limit losses from disasters, the East African country has created the 2024-2029 Anticipatory Action Roadmap and is collaborating with institutions such as the Climate Prediction and Applications Centre of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).