The CEO of the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF), Ms. Sainimili Tawake, has issued a strong call for the development of inclusive and accessible early warning systems that ensure no one is left behind — particularly persons with disabilities.

Speaking at the Global Early Warning for All Multi-Stakeholder Forum in Geneva last week, Ms. Tawake emphasized the urgency of designing systems that accommodate the diverse needs of people with different types of impairments.

“When we talk about early warning systems, we must first identify the different impairment groups under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” she said. “A person with a disability may have long-term impairments, and these — when interacting with environmental and societal barriers — result in disability. We need to include people with physical, sensory, intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities in these systems.”

Ms. Tawake highlighted communication as the number one priority in making early warning systems more accessible.

“Communication must be crafted in a way that is easy to read, includes visuals and audio support, and uses clear, inclusive language,” she explained. “In many places, there is still no sign language interpretation during weather bulletins, no captions, and audio content that’s not suitable for everyone. These gaps need to be addressed.”

She acknowledged the support from the governments of Australia and New Zealand, which has helped the Pacific Disability Forum extend its reach across island countries. She also noted PDF’s ongoing partnership with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), which provides crucial technical guidance in multiple areas.

However, Ms. Tawake stressed that significant gaps remain in both funding and visibility for disability inclusion within disaster risk reduction programs.