Jasper Batureine Mwesigma, Regional Food Security Analyst of IGAD, introduces the Food Security and Nutrition Working Group as an example for learning and exchange in the Eastern and Central Africa Region.

The Working Group is a regional platform, co-chaired by IGAD and FAO and currently is active in 13 countries. It counts more than 80 member organisations from UN, NGos, private sector, research institutions etc. FSNWG raises alerts and sometimes releases special reports when a severe hazard is approaching. The members jointly advocate for anticipatory action and work on improving risk analysis and Early Warning Systems.

As an example for the success of their early warning information and advocacy, Jasper mentions the activities ahead of the 2019 drought in the Horn of Africa. The advocacy of FSNWG informed the joint call for action of WFP, FAO and UNICEF, which generated more than 500 million USD. Despite the lowest rainfall since 1981, this concerted action had the result that food insecurity only increased by 2 percent.

In his intervention Jurg Wilbrink, IFRC regional advisor, presented learning networks in Southern Africa sub-region.  Different platforms have been established with the partners working on anticipatory action where exchange is facilitated. For example, the Regional Technical Working Group for Forecast-based-Forecasting has been established for Red Cross internal learning and exchange. The Technical Working Group also meets in a wider circle with all key partners, such as WFP, FAO, SADC, Start Network and SAWS to collaborate and align the different approaches to anticipatory action. This regional technical working group is hosted by the IFRC & German Red Cross. It works to make sure that the regional exchange is translated to national contexts and vise versa.