As climate-related hazards like floods, droughts, and storms happen more often and intensely, communities—especially young children—are at greater risk of malnutrition and long-term health problems. New weather and water models now provide short- and medium-term forecasts for events like floods and droughts. These improved forecasts are being used to create programs that help people prepare for disasters: for example, moving communities out of danger zones, sending aid in advance, and coordinating relief efforts with governments.

Current early warning systems monitor situations and can tell when and where risks might happen and who will be affected. However, these systems work best when many different groups—governments, aid organizations, and communities—agree on how to act early, before a crisis happens. This requires planning, funding, and making sure everyone understands and trusts the forecast information, including its uncertainties. This paper reviewed 132 studies on how forecast data is used in humanitarian programs, looking at how it helps with things like reducing child malnutrition or predicting displaced populations. Only about one-third of studies discussed how to deal with uncertainties in forecasts. Using this information more effectively can improve disaster response and save lives.