Early warning, early action
Affording the time to protect children’s lives, and build resilience in a changing climate.
In a changing climate, the difference between disruption and safety can come down to minutes. For children facing floods, storms, heatwaves, and drought, timely and accessible early warnings are critical. Yet in many of the countries where UNICEF works, early warning systems (EWS) remain incomplete, inaccessible, or not designed with the needs of children in mind.
Achieving Early Warnings for All requires technology alongside infrastructure, clear communication pathways, and community trust so that alerts turn into action. Through Climate Ventures, UNICEF is investing in early-stage and scale-ready solutions that pair digital tools with reliable hardware and services. From artificial intelligence (AI)-driven hazard mapping to affordable, hyperlocal alert networks, Climate Ventures is connecting today’s urgent needs with the resilience children will need tomorrow.
Why early warnings matter for children
Climate shocks disrupt schooling, strain health services, and put water and sanitation systems at risk, making children in low- and middle-income countries especially vulnerable. Today, 90 per cent of children breathe polluted air, 125 million face water scarcity, and 79 million are exposed to flooding. When warnings come too late, families have less time to evacuate, safeguard assets, or protect children from dangerous conditions.
But early warning systems can do more than issue alerts. They can mobilize community action, enable anticipatory humanitarian response, and save lives. They are among the most proven and cost-effective climate adaptation measures when they are accessible, inclusive, and linked to clear action plans. To reach every child, these solutions need investment and partners willing to scale them.
Strengthening our ability to scale proven solutions
Through Climate Ventures, UNICEF invests in both early-stage innovation and ready-to-scale solutions, ensuring children benefit today while breakthroughs are nurtured for tomorrow.
Operating across 190 countries, UNICEF sees firsthand the risks children face when early warning systems are absent, and is also well placed to develop solutions that work. Two ventures demonstrate how this translates into real protection:
- In Libya, Mozn has built a youth-led platform with 900,000 followers and achieved 70 per cent faster disaster response. Now scaling nationally, it aims to reach 1 million active users by 2026 and eventually 7.6 million citizens, creating an open-source model other countries can adapt.
- In Mali, Map Action is transforming citizen reports into real-time alerts using AI and voice recognition. Already reaching 100,000 users, it plans to expand to 250,000 across flood-prone regions by 2026, with offline functionality and government partnerships to ensure long-term sustainability.
"Mozn turns every alert into a head start, to mobilize families before disaster strikes and turn precious minutes into saved lives.”
Atiyah Alhasadi, Chairman, Roaya Foundation Libya
From pilots to protection
The impact of these solutions goes beyond individual hazards or geographies. By embedding EWS into government and telecom networks, ensuring open-source access, and integrating AI responsibly, UNICEF is helping create adaptable models that other countries can use.
Most importantly, these systems are designed with children in mind, from ensuring messages reach caregivers and teachers to training health workers and community leaders on what to do when a warning is issued. When alerts arrive in time, schools can evacuate safely, health workers can protect vaccines and supplies, and families can move children out of harm’s way.
As the climate crisis accelerates, investing in these capabilities is the frontline of adaptation. With each new partnership, pilot, and scale-up, UNICEF’s Climate Ventures is closing the gap between early warning and early action. Together, we can give children the best chance to grow up safe, healthy, and resilient in a changing world.
