The Digital Maldives for Adaptation, Decentralization and Diversification (D’MADD) Project has officially inaugurated the Impact-Based Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS, Mobile app and Living Lab in Fuvahmulah City. The landmark launching ceremony took place today at the Fuvahmulah City Hall.

The MHEWS platform, mobile app “UDHA” and Living Lab was officially inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Honourable Ali Shareef, alongside key remarks delivered by Mr. Ismail Rafeeq, Mayor of Fuvahmulah City. To ensure long-term sustainability and solidify local collaboration, the event also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Maldives Meteorological Service and the Fuvahmulah City Council.

The Living Lab established at the Fuvahmulah City Council acts as the centralized, community-driven operational hub for the newly launched Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS). This localized facility bridges the gap between advanced digital technology and real-world climate adaptation. Rather than operating as a detached technical mechanism, the lab provides a collaborative space where municipal authorities, national disaster management agencies, and meteorology experts by empowering local institutions to independently manage and sustain these early warning systems, the lab creates a resilient disaster-preparedness framework that can be scaled across other fragile atolls in the Maldives.

Built on an advanced digital infrastructure, the cloud-based decision-support system was developed by the University of Salford (UK), serving as the project’s scientific and technology partner. MHEWS is designed to enhance community resilience against natural hazards by offering real-time risk assessment, early hazard detection, and streamlined emergency communications.

To protect vulnerable coastal communities, the platform introduces four core digital solutions developed by the university's MOBILISE team:

1. Risk Knowledge and Impact Analyser

2. Monitoring and Forecasting Platform (Eagle-I)

3. Early Warning Dissemination Platform (BConX)

4. Citizen App "Udha"

During the inauguration, Professor Terrence Fernando from the THINK Lab at the University of Salford provided a technical overview of the platform. He emphasized how the system successfully bridges the gap between complex scientific data and proactive, local action.

In his address to the attendees, Minister Ali Shareef emphasized a critical paradigm shift toward impact-based forecasting. He noted that the Maldives must move beyond simply predicting the weather to deeply understanding its real, tangible impacts on people's lives and livelihoods. Drawing on international frameworks, Minister Ali Shareef highlighted that open data sharing, local capacity building, and efficient resource utilization are vital to sustaining these technologies. He further stressed that driving youth engagement and fostering stronger collaborative partnerships across all sectors are fundamental to building a truly resilient Maldivian society.

By establishing the Living Lab and piloting the MHEWS platform in Fuvahmulah City, the D'MADD project continues to fulfil its mandate of leveraging digital technologies and data platform for climate resilience.