GENEVA – UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, in coordination with the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), today launched an initiative to develop an advanced global early warning and response system to help humanitarian actors prepare and plan for emergencies.

“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 to prepare and plan for rapid, effective humanitarian response has never been more critical. , says Kelly T. Clements, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees.

The new system, which uses the latest AI technology combined with Earth observation data, will help humanitarian actors, local authorities and local communities strengthen their preparedness and response by detecting and assessing risks of events that could trigger forced displacement, and deliver early warnings ahead . of an emergency.

“LIST is pleased to begin this strategic collaboration with the United Nations Refugee Agency to develop an early warning system for crisis management. Our expertise in natural disaster management and our research findings estimating the impact of climate variables on human mobility and infrastructures will help provide timely and actionable insights to better anticipate and respond to critical situations,” explained Lucien Hoffmann, LIST Science Director.

The innovative project is financed with generous support from the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Europe. It will benefit displaced people directly by helping responders anticipate humanitarian needs, optimize supply procurement and resource mobilization, minimize response times and avoid duplication of humanitarian efforts.

The project launched today includes an initial 15-month rollout of the system in selected pilot countries, including early warning and displacement forecasting as well as emergency preparedness. The second phase will include lessons learned during the deployment phase to build a global system.

The initiative is in line with the UN Secretary-General’s prevention agenda, as well as the Early Warnings for All initiative, which aims to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected from dangerous weather, water or climate events through life-saving early warning systems by the end of 2027.

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About LIST

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, and its mission is to develop competitive and market-oriented prototypes of products and services for the public and private stakeholders.

With nearly 710 employees, of which 79.5% are researchers or innovators from around the world, LIST operates in the fields of information technology, materials, space resources and the environment, working across the entire innovation chain, from basic and applied research to technology incubation and transfer.

By transforming scientific knowledge into intelligent techniques, data and tools, LIST:

• helps European citizens make informed choices
• helps public authorities make decisions
• encourages companies to develop

Visit Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology website for more information.

About UNHCR

UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution.

We lead international efforts to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

Our vision is a world where every person forced to flee can build a better future.

UNHCR was established by the UN General Assembly in 1950 in the aftermath of World War II to help the millions of people who had lost their homes.

Today UNHCR works in 136 countries. We provide life-saving aid, including shelter, food, water and healthcare to people forced to flee conflict and persecution, many of whom have no one left to turn to. We defend their right to reach safety and help them find a place to call home so they can rebuild their lives. Longer term, we work with countries to improve and monitor refugee and asylum laws and policies, to ensure that human rights are upheld.

In everything we do, UNHCR considers refugees and those forced to flee as partners, putting those most affected at the center of planning and decision-making.