The CREWS initiative aims to significantly increase the capacity for Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems, to respond to disasters caused by climate extremes such as tropical cyclones and severe storms, floods, heat waves and droughts.
By 2020, all relevant SIDS and LDCs are expected to have at least moderate early warning system and risk information capacities. CREWS aims to mobilize US$ 100 million by 2020 in order to fill the gaps in the exiting bilateral and multilateral cooperation programmes.
Consultations have already been carried out and projects developed in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Pacific Region. Led by the government of France, the initiative brings together national weather and meteorological services, UN agencies, regional organizations dealing with disaster risk reduction, Regional Development Banks and civil society organizations.