Working and discussion papersMay 2020Lena Weingartner, Tobias Pforr and Emily WilkinsonA man receives warning about the return of rains in the Somali region of Ethiopia. Photo: Edwina Stevens/Small World Stories/Ethiopia Delivering as OneAnticipatory action (AA) is attracting global attention, with the number of pilot initiatives that deliver support to vulnerable communities before disasters strike growing in number and size. Such initiatives, often referred to as forecast-based early action (FbA), forecast-based financing (FbF) and early warning early action (EWEA), rely on forecasting and risk information to trigger planned and pre-financed actions when a disaster is imminent or before acute impacts are felt.This paper takes stock of the evidence produced so far on the benefits of acting prior to the onset – or deepening – of a crisis. Overall, existing evidence indicates that the effects of AA at household level are mainly positive. For instance, beneficiaries experience: less psychosocial stress when floods hit; higher crop productivity and less food insecurity during prolonged periods of drought; and lower livestock mortality during severe cold spells. However, not all expected benefits are observed in all cases, and findings should be considered in context and in relation to the kind of action taken. Acting early can be better than doing nothing, but it is less clear whether it is better than doing other things at other times.This research was undertaken in collaboration with the World Food Programme. Read the research The evidence base on anticipatory actionRelatedStrengthening forecast-based early action in the CaribbeanA two-part proposal aimed at improving forecast-based early action in the Caribbean.Briefing papers29 June 2020Scoping and design for taking forecast-based early action to scale: three case studiesThree types of humanitarian financing-delivery systems and what they can teach us about scaling up mechanisms for forecast-based early action.Working and discussion papers1 April 2019Forecasting hazards, averting disasters: implementing forecast-based early action at scaleThis report examines current pilots in the emerging forecast-based early action programming and finance and offers suggestions for scale.Research reports and studies15 March 2018See more:disaster risk reductiondisaster responseclimatefinanceGlobal