Global alert system warns of poverty for many millions

24 September 2009

The effects of the economic crisis are only just beginning for hundreds of millions of people.

That is according to the first report of the Global Impact and Vulnerability Alert System (GIVAS), unveiled at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The report also said many who have just climbed out of poverty may suffer again soon.

GIVAS gives real-time evidence from affected areas of the effects of major crises such as the economic downturn.

It also flags up areas of immediate concern to allow nations to take swift action.

The launch comes after DFID’s recent White Paper, which said that real-time monitoring of the impacts of major crises was 'vital to effective response, yet lacking at international level.'

Speaking at the launch of the first GIVAS report, called Voices of the Vulnerable: The Economic Crisis from the Ground Up, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, said: “To make the right policy responses, we must know, in real time, what is happening on the ground. The UN system is working with member states to create a networked 21st century capacity for real-time data collection, analysis and flagging of critical developments.”

GIVAS is one of the key deliverables to come out of the G20 Summit in London earlier this year when world leaders agreed on the need for a UN-supported effort to monitor crises as closely as possible.

A data platform will allow quantitative and qualitative data on the impacts of global shocks to be uploaded.

GIVAS then produces a series of Global Alert Products, such as situation reports, buzzer alerts and eye-witness reports.