Warnings in violence and conflict: Coproducing warnings with and for those most at risk

This briefing note discusses using coproduction for the development of warning systems involving people living in places affected by violence. People in such contexts disproportionately experience and are impacted by natural-hazard-related disasters, yet they are often left without adequate early warning and response systems. The process of coproduction seeks to develop partnerships with the people positioned to use and support early warning systems from the “first mile” of agenda setting and design through to implementation, dissemination, and management.

However, coproducing warnings in conflict contexts necessitates engaging people and institutions that may be in direct conflict with each other, perpetrate and be affected by violence, and/or benefit from the status quo. The lack of policies and best practices tailored for these contexts has led to ignoring or avoiding these complexities and treating warnings as a technical exercise to be solved by external experts. This has produced warnings detached from the early and sustained actions and responses necessary for mitigating disaster impacts, and such warnings can also be counterproductive to the needs of these populations.