African countries and their partners have called for urgent and sustained action to ensure that early warning systems protect every person at risk from disasters.

The call came as the Africa Early Warning Forum closed in Addis Ababa with the adoption of the Addis Ababa Call to Action on Early Warnings.

The declaration calls for Early Warnings for All to remain a global political priority, while demanding faster, sustained and African driven progress.

A major focus is reaching the last mile, including communities in remote areas and fragile and conflict affected countries that are often hardest to reach when disasters strike.

The Call to Action says early warning systems must be people centred, inclusive and accessible, with success measured by whether warnings actually reach people, are understood and lead to action.

Participants also called for multi hazard early warning systems to be treated as essential national infrastructure and a core public investment, rather than temporary projects dependent on short term funding.

Governments are urged to establish dedicated domestic budgets, while public private partnerships and innovative financing are encouraged to mobilise additional resources.

The declaration also calls for stronger links between warnings, preparedness and anticipatory action, so communities can act before floods, droughts, storms and other hazards cause major losses.

And it places responsibility on the whole of society, from governments and communities to the private sector, scientists, humanitarian organisations and other partners.

The ultimate measure, participants said, should not simply be how many warning systems exist, but whether those warnings reach people, trigger timely action and reduce deaths, damage and economic losses.

As the Forum closes, the message from Addis Ababa is clear, Africa must move from warning people about disasters to giving them the power and resources to act before disasters strike.