Niger Dilnahar of WFP highlights how GRC, BDRCS, IFRC, RCCC and WFP have been collaborating since 2015 for establishment of more scientific process and protocols for anticipatory humanitarian actions. “We worked on the harmonization of the trigger, because we believe if we work on the same hazard, our triggers should not contradict each other”, she said. She also underlines the joint advocacy initiatives of the different agencies that helped facilitate the integration of FbF into Bangladesh’s standing order on disasters. Thanks to the CERF pilot, WFP could significantly increase its reach: From 20 000 people reached in the 2019 floods to 145 000 in 2020 assisted with anticipatory action cash transfer to ensure food security and disaster preparedness four highly vulnerable districts of Gaibandha, Bogra, Sirajganj, and Jamalpur. The different activations have demonstrated the power of anticipatory action to the government and other partners. Niger explains that anticipatory action is not a standalone approach within WFP: “we include it in other programmes, e.g. with resilience, social protection and climate risk insurance programmes.” According to Niger, linking scientific information with humanitarian action can demonstrate the power of anticipatory action and can generate more interest.
Hilla Wessel