The specialised Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative saves lives, assets and livelihoods through increased access to early weather warnings and risk information for people in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) – the world’s most vulnerable countries. The CREWS Trust Fund has invested over US$ 40 million in projects in 44 LDCs and SIDS – and has mobilised an additional US$ 270 million from public funds of other development partners.
The CREWS initiative is operated through multiple partners, including the World Bank Group/Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
World Bank Group / GFDRR
Through its Action Plan on Adaptation and Resilience, the World Bank Group has committed to substantially increase financing for quality forecasts, early warning systems and climate information services in at least 30 additional countries. As a CREWS Implementing Partner, the World Bank Group / GFDRR collaborates with WMO and UNDRR to increase access by vulnerable communities around the globe to live-saving early warning systems and services.
WMO
WMO’s vision 2030 is a world where all nations are more resilient to the socio-economic consequences of extreme weather, climate, water and other environmental events. To achieve this, we prioritises closing the capacity gap by enhancing service delivery of developing countries, in particular LDCs and SIDS, to ensure the availability of essential information and services needed by governments, economic sectors and citizens. WMO’s engagement in CREWS contributes to meeting these goals by leveraging the technical expertise of its Members in providing enhanced warning services with a seamless approach for climate and weather events.
UNDRR
The Sendai Framework Monitor [link to page] is the tool to support countries to measure their progress against Sendai Targets, including Target G “Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to the people by 2030.” We provide technical guidance inter alia for minimum data standards and methodologies. Australia, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom contribute to the pooled CREWS Trust Fund and provide oversight to CREWS operations through the CREWS Steering Committee.
Further information: https://www.crews-initiative.org/en