Background

Acting before a disaster to safeguard lives and livelihoods is no longer just an accepted concept, but a practice that is increasingly being integrated into the dynamics of the global humanitarian system. This has been made possible thanks to the drive and commitment of a diverse and complementary network of actors across political, scientific, academic, and operational spheres.

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Anticipatory Action represents a key opportunity to mitigate the impacts of various hazards affecting at-risk populations. This approach enables governments, communities, and humanitarian organizations to act before the impacts of disasters or crises fully materialize, in a more effective, timely, and cost-efficient manner.

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These actions can be implemented through:

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• Cash-based transfers,

• Delivery of goods and services (such as seeds, tools, or irrigation systems),

• Combinations of cash and in-kind assistance,

• Training and awareness-raising activities tailored to community needs.

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For this, forecasts or alerts are needed to determine thresholds and triggers, as well as pre-agreed financing mechanisms and plans or protocols. These components must align with broader Disaster Risk Management systems and contribute to resilience-building efforts.

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To promote the importance of anticipation in the face of disasters and crises, to share experiences, and to disseminate lessons learned, the Anticipation Hub has led the establishment of a global community of practice that meets annually at regional and global levels in spaces known as Dialogue Platforms.

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The Regional Dialogue Platforms held in Latin America and the Caribbean — including Arequipa, Peru (2018); Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (2019); Panama City, Panama (2021); Antigua, Guatemala (2022); San Pedro Sula, Honduras (2023); and Cartagena de Indias, Colombia (2024) — have been decisive spaces for analysis, discussion, scaling, and learning on Anticipatory Action, as well as for fostering inter-institutional cooperation among key actors.