This blog summaries the fifth Understanding Risk Forum held in Mexico City. Practical Action’s session on “Reaching the last mile” focused on the effective communication of risk to those who are most vulnerable to disasters. The session drew on the difficulties of information sharing to vulnerable communities due to barriers such technological and translation issues, as well as the role that age, gender, ethnicity and abilities have on people’s ability to access and respond to the information. The blog also summarises the use of practical examples such as Practical Action’s research on the roles of men and women during evacuations in Nepal and Peru. Multiple stakeholders also joined the session to discuss their role, perspectives and experiences in ‘reaching the last mile’. The session concluded by calling for ‘context-specific’ early warning systems.