The European, Mediterranean and African region is increasingly vulnerable to the devastating consequences of weather and climate-induced extreme events including floods, wildfires, landslides, droughts, heatwaves and coastal hazards becoming more frequent, intense, and complex. Human-induced climate change has led to widespread losses and damages (L&D) across society, nature, and the economy, with vulnerable populations disproportionately affected. Over the past 50 years almost 2000 disaster events were recorded in Europe alone, causing more than 170,000 deaths and over USD 600 billion in economic losses. Africa experienced almost 2000 disasters in the same period, resulting in approximately 800000 deaths and significant increases in financial damage, particularly in regions where early warning capacities remain limited. The increasingly severe impacts of extremes and compound events are not solely due to anthropogenic climate change but also to insufficient integration of disaster risk management into development policies and a lack of investment in multi hazard early warning systems (MHEWS).
To address these critical gaps, the MedEWSa aims to develop an innovative, inclusive, and fully integrated MHEWS across pilot regions in Europe (Barcelona (Spain), Sweden, Venice (Italy), Kosice (Slovakia), Tbilisi (Georgia), the Mediterranean (Venice (Italy) and northern Egyptian coast), and Africa (Ethiopian National Parks). The project seeks to overcome the fragmentation in existing EWS and strengthen decision-making capabilities by delivering a modular, interoperable Decision Support and Dissemination System (DSDS). This platform integrates real-time and forecast-based data to support timely, informed actions by first responders, civil protection agencies, policymakers, and vulnerable communities.
Through the co-development of advanced AI-based forecasting models and impact assessment tools, MedEWSa enhances the accuracy, timeliness, and relevance of early warnings tailored to local hazard user needs. These tools are being deployed and validated in the eight pilot regions mentioned above, spanning different geographical, climatic, and socio-economic contexts, and ensuring adaptability and transferability. Forecast-based financial mechanisms, including parametric insurance and risk transfer tools, embedded within the DSDS strengthen financial preparedness and resilience in crisis response.
MedEWSa places particular emphasis on societal inclusion and participatory planning, integrating social science insights to ensure communication strategies, messaging formats, and alert systems are accessible and effective for all, including marginalized and at-risk populations. The project aligns global and regional priorities such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Secretary-General’s "Early Warnings for All" initiative and the ITU Global Initiative Resilience to natural hazards through AI solutions
MedEWSa aims to reduce disaster-related losses, strengthen adaptation, and empower communities through early and actionable information. Its “lighthouse activity” further supports the scalability, dissemination, and uptake of results by external stakeholders. By linking innovation, technology, governance, and inclusion, MedEWSa delivers a powerful framework for building climate resilience in some of the world’s most disaster-prone regions.
