Thumbnail Image

Saving lives, time and money: Evidence from anticipatory action

May 2025

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 10 p.

Author FAO; OCHA; WFP;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

To cite or share https://doi.org/10.4060/cd5250en

Synopsis (short abstract) In the context of an existential funding crisis, soaring levels of humanitarian need and a spiralling number of extreme weather events, each dollar spent must go further. There is key evidence showing that anticipatory action provides a cost-effective and efficient way for life‑saving assistance that addresses humanitarian needs while strengthening resilience to predictable risks. Strong interagency coordination amplifies these benefits by improving resource allocation, reducing duplication of efforts, and fostering a more cohesive and timelier, prioritized response.The publication provides a non-exhaustive list of findings drawn from evidence generated by FAO, OCHA, WFP and other organizations, reflecting broad insights and experiences from across the sector.

Cite this content as:

FAO, OCHA and WFP. 2025. Saving lives, time and money – Evidence from anticipatory action, May 2025. Rome. 

https://doi.org/10.4060/cd5250en

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    FAO-WFP Anticipatory Action Strategy
    Scaling up anticipatory actions to prevent food crises – September 2023
    2023
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    Recognizing that the increasing number of food crises require resources and capacities far beyond the reach of any individual organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are partnering together to scale up the reach of Anticipatory Action. This means acting ahead of predicted hazards to mitigate acute humanitarian impacts before they fully unfold. The two agencies are committed to further strengthening collaboration on selected strategic and technical areas that bring out their comparative strengths and maximize the benefit to communities at risk of shocks to their food security. By partnering on scaling up Anticipatory Action, WFP and FAO commit to: 1. jointly deliver a comprehensive set of Anticipatory Action measures to protect people’s food security from shocks; 2. expand the geographic coverage and anticipation for different types of shocks, beyond hydrometeorological hazards, that can be predicted and affect agriculture and food security; and 3. jointly advocate for the mainstreaming of Anticipatory Action within key policies, processes and institutions, including disaster risk management, social protection and climate change adaptation to enable sustainability and greater cost efficiencies.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    West Africa and the Sahel: Germany’s contribution through the Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities (SFERA) – Anticipatory Action window 2023
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    In 2022, the West Africa and Sahel region experienced one of the worst years in recent history in terms of humanitarian impacts from floods. The growing frequency, intensity and gravity of climate and weather-related disasters, including floods, are jeopardizing the region’s entire food system and particularly the agriculture sector. Combined with other shocks and risks affecting the region, a new risk of flooding for 2023 may further impact people and their livelihoods. Thanks to the German Federal Foreign Office’s contribution to the Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities – Anticipatory Action window, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is scaling up early warning messaging and risk awareness, and safeguarding crops and livestock, to mitigate the impact of flooding on vulnerable communities’ livelihoods and food security.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: Belgium’s contribution through the Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities (SFERA) – Anticipatory Action window 2024
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is facing a socioeconomic crisis that continues to drive food insecurity, leaving 4.4 million people in rural and disaster-prone areas in need of food assistance. The state of Zulia is among the hardest hit by this complex humanitarian emergency, and the current La Niña cycle could make the situation worse. To mitigate these effects, the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium contributed USD 500 000 to FAO to implement anticipatory actions that will benefit 1 667 households (7 786 people).
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.