Dr. Rakhshinda Ambreen, HANDS Pakistan, presented results from a KAP survey from a heatwave response project in Karachi. Pakistan often has to face heat waves. When in May the Karachi weather forecast showed an increased risk of a heatwave, the Start network released funds to HANDS and ACF. HANDS implemented a KAP survey related to their awareness campaign to understand how the action worked.
Social media was identified as a main carrier of messaging, both in terms of use and perceived effectiveness. Traditional means, like e.g. radio, was much less used and perceived as less effective. Also, overall heatwave knowledge increased through the intervention showing that awareness campaigns can work, even in times of COVID-19. However, behaviour change was not found to be very strong showing that awareness campaigns by itself might not be sufficient and barriers need to be examined.

Hilla Wessel

Acting Early to Reduce the Humanitarian Impact of Displacement

There is increasing interest in anticipatory humanitarian action in the context of disaster displacement. Recently, the UNFCCC Task Force on Displacement called on States to: “develop innovative approaches, such as forecast-based financing, to avert, minimize and address displacement related to the adverse impacts of climate change”.

This interactive dialogue will bring together experts to discuss the existing approach of Anticipatory Action to addressing climate displacement, as well as to propose practical recommendations on how AA can be adapted to address the needs of communities affected by climate displacement.

This session will also share the new IFRC and Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre Issue Brief on Forecast Based Financing and Disaster Displacement.

Duygu Bayramoglu