UNHCR and LIST Launch AI-Powered Global Early Warning System to Enhance Humanitarian Preparedness for Crises

New System to Provide Advanced Displacement Forecasts, Helping Aid Agencies and Local Communities Prepare for Climate and Conflict-Driven Emergencies.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), in partnership with the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), announced a groundbreaking initiative today: the development of an advanced global early warning and response system to enhance humanitarian readiness for crises. This AI-powered system, supported by Earth observation data, is designed to anticipate emergency situations and rapidly mobilize responses in regions vulnerable to forced displacement from climate events, natural disasters, and conflicts.

“As the world faces an increasing number of complex humanitarian emergencies, driven by conflict, violence, natural hazards, climate change, and other forces, the need for robust early warning systems has never been more critical,” said Kelly T. Clements, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees. “This system aims to help humanitarian actors, local authorities, and communities prepare for emergency responses in time to reduce the impact on vulnerable populations.”

The new system leverages cutting-edge AI algorithms and real-time environmental monitoring to identify and evaluate risks that could trigger mass displacement. With alerts issued to humanitarian agencies and local officials, the tool is expected to streamline preparedness efforts, enabling faster and more targeted responses to prevent crises from escalating.

Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs has provided the funding for the initiative, highlighting Luxembourg's commitment to humanitarian innovation. Lucien Hoffmann, LIST’s Science Director, emphasized the importance of this partnership: “Our expertise in natural disaster management and our research on the impacts of climate variables on human mobility will provide actionable insights to better anticipate and respond to emergencies. We are proud to support UNHCR’s mission through this vital project.”

Key benefits of the early warning system include the ability to anticipate supply needs, organize resource distribution, minimize response times, and avoid the duplication of efforts among humanitarian groups. This proactive approach aims to protect and support displaced populations by optimizing resources and reducing the adverse effects of unexpected displacements.

The project’s initial 15-month rollout phase will see the system tested in select pilot countries. The findings from this phase will guide the refinement and expansion of the system into a fully global operation, ensuring comprehensive coverage and functionality. This initiative aligns with the UN Secretary-General’s "Early Warnings for All" agenda, which aims to equip every community worldwide with life-saving early warning systems for hazardous weather and climate events by the end of 2027.

This collaborative effort not only reinforces the UN’s preventative mission but also marks a significant step forward in global humanitarian response, combining technology and environmental data to support vulnerable populations.