Bangladesh has officially adopted the national Early Warnings for All (EW4All) National Roadmap for 2025-2030. This decision was made during a dissemination and sharing workshop in Dhaka on November 30, 2025. The Roadmap, developed with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), aims to create a comprehensive, people-centred Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) across the country.
The strategic framework outlined in the Roadmap focuses on enhancing risk knowledge, improving monitoring and forecasting of various hazards, and strengthening last-mile communication. It also emphasizes the importance of community preparedness at the national level. According to Faruk E. Azam, Adviser to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, the initiative marks a significant advancement towards safeguarding every individual in Bangladesh with timely and actionable early warning information.
The development of the Roadmap followed a highly inclusive process that began with a high-level launch workshop in November 2023. Extensive consultations were held to assess gaps and needs, identify activities, establish budgets, and explore potential funding sources. This collaborative effort included three inter-pillar workshops and additional sessions focusing on individual pillars.
Collaborative Efforts and Financial Support
The successful rollout of the EW4All initiative is attributed to the financial contributions from the Government of Sweden and the steadfast support from national partners. Key organizations involved include the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), along with the World Food Programme (WFP) and various NGOs.
The workshop brought together over 100 participants, including government officials, international organization representatives, development partners, and civil society members. Attendees underscored the necessity for strong inter-agency collaboration and investment in technology to meet the EW4All targets by 2027. They concluded with commitments to initiate the implementation of priority activities outlined in the Roadmap as soon as possible.
These activities will be supported by financial resources from the government’s national budget, international financing mechanisms, and contributions from development partners. Following the adoption of the Roadmap, representatives from the national pillar leads and international partners convened on December 1, 2025, to pinpoint key priority activities for implementation. This collaborative meeting focused on establishing a new national EW4All project that will address the various initiatives presented in the Roadmap, particularly those lacking financial backing.
In conclusion, the launch of Bangladesh’s EW4All National Roadmap is a pivotal move toward enhancing the nation’s disaster preparedness framework. As the country looks to bolster its early warning systems, the commitment from both local and international partners will be crucial for ensuring successful implementation and ultimately protecting the lives of vulnerable populations across Bangladesh.
