Highlights from the opening day
How can we connect anticipatory action to disaster risk management? The overarching theme for this year’s event was tackled head-on during the first hybrid plenary session. There are three ‘building blocks’ to anticipatory action: (1) risk information, forecasting and early warning systems; (2) planning, operations and delivery; and (3) pre-arranged finance. But how can we make sure that these connect to disaster risk management systems, and don’t become a silo that functions separately?
Using fish-themed decorations – a Thai metaphor meaning ‘keep moving together’ – the participants, both online and in Bangkok, created a virtual bridge across the room with their suggestions. Ideas included countries with experience, such as Bangladesh and Nepal, taking leadership and sharing what they have learned about how anticipatory action works, such as allowing time for governments to understand the concept. Another concrete suggestion was for organizations to communicate these three pillars together, especially to people who implement and benefit disaster risk approaches. This can help to ensure they understand the value of anticipatory action, and that it becomes a quality and an attitude, not just ‘something that we do’.