“Prevention is better than cure”: Accountable and people-centred anticipatory action in Chad

Ground Truth Solutions (GTS) has conducted numerous studies highlighting the need to improve accountability in Chad’s humanitarian response. Respondents often share that the aid they receive is inadequate because they are not listened to or involved in the programs that affect their lives. To support humanitarian organisations to facilitate more effective and people-centred anticipatory action programs, Ground Truth Solutions, in collaboration with the Centre de Recherche en Anthropologie et Sciences Humaines (CRASH), conducted research on community perceptions, preferences and priorities on anticipatory action in Hajder-Lamis, and developed a survey tool to allow for more large-scale and robust data collection. This work aims to support the design and revision of anticipatory action programs related to both pluvial and fluvial floods.

The report's findings highlight the existence of community-based anticipatory action systems rooted in traditional knowledge, and the strength of mutual aid and solidarity. Communities who are regularly affected by floods in Hajder-Lamis acknowledge the benefits of anticipatory action programs, but advocate for assistance that strengthens their existing systems, takes into account their knowledge and experience, and is sustainable over time.