Acting while the window is open...

The WFP presented two national level examples of developing anticipatory action pilots in Ethiopia and in Mozambique.

Esther Kabaire, Head of M&E and Vulnerability Analysis and Monitoring (VAM) at WFP Ethiopia set the scene, explaining that there are currently 6.47 million people who are recurrently food insecure and almost 3 million chronically food insecure in Ethiopia. WFP used the Integrated Context Analysis (ICA) to identify the most vulnerable woredas (distrits) in the Somali region to target assistance. UN OCHA determined the trigger for drought with support from the national-level technical working group chaired by the NDRMC and Ethiopia Red Cross. WFP identified anticipatory actions, specifically early warning information as well as cash transfer to almost 15,000 pastoralists, which is disbursed in 4 tranches at crucial lean times. In terms of challenges highlighted through the process, Esther noted that new procedures needed time to set up, as well as internal systems needed to be adapted and streamlined to allow for anticipatory actions to be done on time.

Silvia Pieretto, WFP Resilience Coordinator in Mozambique presented experiences of anticipatory action for drought in Mozambique, where 70% of the population is reliant on rainfed agriculture. Although Mozambique Red Cross (CVM) has experience with FbF, anticipation of drought is relatively new and no early warning system for drought is operational. The system aims to enable forecasts and monitoring as an integrated approach and is coordinated with the National Met Institute (INAM), the National Risk Management Institute (INGD) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MADER). A multi-takeholder Technical Working Group was established to oversee the design and implementation of the whole process. Last year, the anticipatory actions failed to trigger because the window of two months for activation was insufficient. While WFP had identified the anticipatory actions, selected locations and had a trigger and indicators in place, there was no final agreement with government. Scenarios for activations through the social protection programme had not been tested and the trigger and indicators were not finally endorsed by the government. Silvia highlighted that SoPs and plans are not sufficient, pre-agreements and pre-contracts need to be in place for timely activation.