UNHCR and Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) to launch early warning system for emergencies
UNHCR and Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) to launch early warning system for emergencies
From left to right: Lucien Hoffmann (Science Director, LIST), Georges Ternes (Director, Luxembourg Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs), Dirk Fransaer (CEO, LIST), Kelly T. Clements (UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees), Xavier Bettel (Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Luxembourg)
GENEVA – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in coordination with the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), launched today 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 responses has never been more critical," said 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 to reinforce their preparedness and response by detecting and evaluating risks of events that might trigger forced displacement, and deliver timely alerts ahead of an emergency.
“LIST is pleased to enter this strategic collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency to develop an early warning system for emergency management. Our expertise in natural disaster management and our research outputs estimating the impact of climatic variables on human mobility and infrastructures will help provide timely and actionable insights to better anticipate and respond to critical situations,” declared Lucien Hoffmann, LIST Science Director.
The innovative project is funded with the generous support of Luxembourg’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. It will benefit displaced people directly by helping responders to anticipate humanitarian needs, optimize supply procurement and resource mobilization, minimize response times and avoid the duplication of humanitarian efforts.
The project launched today comprises an initial 15-month rollout of the system in select pilot countries, including early warning and displacement forecasting as well as emergency preparedness. The second phase will incorporate lessons learned during the rollout 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 everyone on Earth is protected from hazardous weather, water or climate events through life-saving early warning systems by the end of 2027.
For more information please contact:
- In Geneva, William Spindler, [email protected], +41 79 549 5998
- In Luxembourg, Paramita Chakraborty, [email protected], +352 275 888 2237
About LIST
The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) under the auspices of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, and its mission is to develop competitive and market-oriented prototypes of products and services for public and private stakeholders.
With nearly 710 employees, 79.5% of whom are researchers or innovators from all over the world, LIST is active in the fields of information technology, materials, space resources and the environment, and works across the entire innovation chain, from basic and applied research to technology incubation and transfer.
By transforming scientific knowledge into intelligent technologies, data and tools, LIST:
- helps European citizens make informed choices
- helps public authorities make decisions
- encourages companies to develop
Visit the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology website for more information.
About UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
We lead international action 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 General Assembly of the United Nations in 1950 in the aftermath of the Second World War to help the millions of people who had lost their homes.
Today, UNHCR works in 136 countries. We provide life-saving assistance, including shelter, food, water and medical care for people forced to flee conflict and persecution, many of whom have nobody 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. Long term, we work with countries to improve and monitor refugee and asylum laws and policies, ensuring human rights are upheld.
In everything we do, UNHCR considers refugees and those forced to flee as partners, putting those most affected at the centre of planning and decision-making.
