Kara Siahaan, IFRC Coordinator for Early Action and Disaster Risk Financing introduced the different ways the Federation enables access to early action funding. IFRC’s classic Disaster Relief Emergency Fund in itself, as a contingent funding mechanism, is already an effort from IFRC to allow and enable access to funding for quick response to 192 National Society, Kara points out. But more can be done. “As the World Disaster Report shows, most of our response is weather related and therefore to a large extent predictable”. In 2018, IFRC launched the Forecast-based Action by the DREF using the FbF approach, to fund Early Action Protocols. It can be accessed by National Societies if they have an EAP already in place.
Recently the amount of funding has been increased from a maximum of 250 000 CHF to 350 000 CHF per EAP reflecting the need to do more in terms of early action. It increases the predictability of funding by tying triggers, pre-defined actions with pre-agreed financing, offering a global mechanism to be accessed directly by the National Societies. Currently 31 National Societies are working on EAPs. In addition to funding allocated once the threshold has been reached, the FbA by the DREF also allows funding for readiness.
Kara: “You have heard in the past days that early action can be complicated and often you have only a few days, so we need to ensure National Societies are ready.” Readiness funds can cover warehousing costs, maintenance, refresher trainings. FbA also allows for prepositioned stocks that can be made ready to be released when the agreed threshold is reached. “National Societies should be ready and have their EAP approved, if possible, months before any season with potential impactful hazards.” Communities are consulted to ensure appropriateness of early actions.