Windows of opportunity for risk-informed humanitarian assistance: An anticipatory, early action, and disaster risk finance framework

This report lays out a comprehensive DRF framework for the humanitarian community to tackle the challenges of the humanitarian funding gap and the climate crisis while building up organizational capacity on risk-informed approaches and climate adaptation. The authors seek to i) situate anticipatory action and DRF within the disaster management cycle and support discussions regarding burden share between different actors and funding streams, and ii) support decision-making regarding when risk-informed approaches are “worth it” (recognizing the trade-offs inherent in prearranging or releasing funding ahead of crises).

According to the report, by focusing on the risks people face and understanding how these risks translate into losses, damages, and human suffering, humanitarian actors can better identify windows of opportunity to take action to minimize or avert these humanitarian impacts. Using this understanding, humanitarians can better align DRF tools with early and anticipatory action systems and, in partnership, ensure the delivery of high quality assistance to affected populations.