How can anticipatory action reach scale and sustainability? Learning from CERF in Bangladesh

This report captures and builds on learning from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) anticipatory action pilot in Bangladesh. This is one of a series of pilots that aim to generate further evidence of anticipatory action’s benefits in reducing the impact of foreseeable disasters. The Centre for Disaster Protection has supported OCHA’s learning from these pilots by capturing lessons and benefits that emerge from the process, as well as advising on strategies to monitor and evaluate the short-, medium- and long-term results. This report differs from other learning outputs produced by the Centre as it takes a forward-looking perspective, and focuses primarily on the question of how anticipatory action can reach scale and sustainability in Bangladesh.

The report mentions the following key takeaways: 

• Future anticipatory action support packages should be based on evidence and analysis of what is needed ahead of a shock and likely to have a meaningful mitigative impact, to be subsequently followed up with broader response support
• If government leadership of AA is the end goal, as stakeholders expressed, then the pilot’s design will need to be adjusted.
• Consideration is needed of where different roles and responsibilities lie for collective AA action so that important coordinating activities are fulfilled
• Such coordination and preparedness activities are a core part of successful AA and need to be funded
• There needs to be a deliberate shift beyond a UNcentric approach, and more conscious and strategic outreach to climate and development actors, including local organisations
• Stakeholders are keen for a more flexible trigger methodology and funding approach, requiring a shift in the focus of the pilot and level of technical rigour