Imagine, an alert about a flood, cyclone or any other natural calamity comes to your mobile. You are told that danger is imminent and it is important to get to safety as soon as possible. But what do you do if you have no money to leave the house and no car to go? Millions of people around the world face similar difficulties. Despite receiving information about the danger, they are unable to take necessary measures in time to protect themselves and their families.

Today, disaster information can be delivered faster than ever through mobile phones, TV, radio and the Internet. Despite this, a large number of people are unable to take the necessary steps to avoid the risk. This is not only due to late warning, but also poverty, lack of safe places, lack of means of transportation and lack of advance preparation.

36 percent people could not take any step

This serious problem has come to light in the World Risk Poll 2026 report of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation. According to the report, nearly 80 percent of people who faced a disaster in the past five years received at least one advance warning. But 36 percent of those who received warnings failed to take necessary safety measures. A family may have to evacuate their home after receiving a flood warning, but what will they do if they have nowhere else to rent?

What do the report’s key figures show?

The World Risk Poll 2026 includes responses from over 1,43,000 people from 140 countries and territories. The report explains the difference between receiving a disaster warning and subsequent action by people.

• 80 percent of affected people received warnings: Nearly four out of five adults who experienced a disaster in the past five years received at least one advance warning.
• 36 percent could not take action: Despite receiving warnings, more than one-third were unable to take the necessary steps to protect themselves.
• About 20 percent did not receive a warning: About one in five people affected by a disaster received no advance warning.
• The impact of disasters is greater in poorer countries: In low-income countries, 31 percent of adults had experienced a disaster in the past five years, compared to 16 percent in rich countries.
• Also difference in getting alerted: In low-income countries, 64 percent of people affected by disasters received advance warnings, compared to 84 percent in high- and upper-middle-income countries.

Security is enhanced if the warning is received through multiple channels rather than just one.

One more important thing has come out in the report. The more people receive warnings through more means, the more likely they are to take action to protect themselves. For example, if a person receives an alert on his mobile, then he hears the same information on TV or radio and the local administration also alerts him, it may be easier to understand the threat and take necessary action.

According to data from the report:

Warning by means of: 37 percent took safety measures.
Warning by two means: This figure has increased to 51 percent.
Warning through three means: 64 percent took necessary action.

One in five people have been affected by a disaster

The report also states that 20 percent of adults worldwide say they have been affected by a disaster in the past five years. In the year 2023, this figure was 30 percent. Less educated people in low-income countries are more affected by disasters. Here, 37 percent of people with primary education or less were affected by the disaster, compared to 22 percent of those with secondary education and 20 percent of those with higher education.

More difficult in poorer countries: In low-income countries, only 48 percent of those who received warnings were able to take action. In low- and middle-income countries, the figure was 47 percent. At the same time, 75 percent of people in upper-middle income countries and 71 percent of people in rich countries were able to take action.

Different effects in each disaster: More than 90 percent of people affected by dust storms received warnings, but only half of them were able to take action. In tropical cyclones, 94 percent received warnings and 71 percent were able to take action. In case of floods, these figures were 76 and 59 percent respectively.

Preparation increases security: Those who were able to take action after receiving a warning had a Resilience Index score of 68, while those who were unable to take action had a score of 52. This index shows resilience to disasters and crises.

Most affected by floods

According to the report, floods are the most common and most impactful natural disaster around the world. Of those affected by disasters in the past five years, 39 percent cited floods, heavy rains, or rain-related storms as the most impactful disasters. After this, 19 percent mentioned tropical storms like cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons, while 10 percent mentioned earthquakes.

The warning system is better than ever

According to the report, early warning systems have improved in many countries around the world, but information still does not reach many people in time. To overcome this deficiency, three important steps need to be taken.

To send an alert to everyone: Low-income countries and vulnerable groups living there are less likely to receive disaster warnings. This system needs to be strengthened, especially in parts of Africa and Asia.

Providing alerts through multiple channels: It is important that people receive at least one warning, but they can be better prepared if they receive information through two or more means. This can increase the ability to take appropriate action and protect oneself during a disaster.

Increasing use of mobile phones: Among those who receive no disaster warning, four out of every five have a mobile phone. In such a situation, information about the danger can be conveyed to more people in time through SMS alerts.

Much of the technology needed to prevent disasters already exists, the report said. Therefore, along with creating new technologies, it is important to make existing systems available to more people and make better use of them. However, people in poorer countries are more likely to experience disasters, but less likely to receive warnings or take protective measures.