The United Nations has warned that extreme weather is “spiraling out of control” and is urging countries to expand global early-warning systems to protect vulnerable populations.

A new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says weather- and climate-related disasters have killed over 2 million people in the past 50 years 90% of them in developing countries. Yet, nearly half of all nations still lack effective early-warning systems.

Countries with such systems record six times fewer deaths from disasters, according to the WMO.

The call is part of the UN’s “Early Warnings for All” initiative, which aims to ensure global coverage by 2027. The agency also advocates “impact-based” warnings that tell people not just what weather is coming, but what to do about it.

“Early warnings save lives, but too many communities still receive no alerts before disaster strikes,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

The UN urged governments to boost investment, data sharing, and resilience, warning that poorer regions especially in Africa, Asia, and small island states face the highest risks.

“No one should die for lack of a warning,” the WMO said. “The technology exists; what’s needed is the will to act.”