Anticipatory Action in Latin America and the Caribbean

Climate extremes are a key driver of food insecurity. Traditional humanitarian response systems need to evolve from crisis response to forward-looking risk management. Recognizing the urgency of the problem, WFP works with governments in Latin America and the Caribbean that are investing in early warning systems to better anticipate and respond to hazards.

Climate extremes are a key driver of food insecurity. At the same time, the climate crisis is intersecting and compounding other drivers of hunger, including conflict and economic downturns. To successfully manage these interlocking problems and avert cascading humanitarian disasters, traditional humanitarian response systems need to evolve from crisis response to forward-looking risk management. Recognizing the urgency of the problem, WFP works with governments in the region that are investing in early warning systems to better anticipate and respond to hazards. Leveraging these investments, Anticipatory Action (AA) offers an innovative approach that enables the implementation and financing of actions triggered by weather forecasts, and before an extreme weather event has occurred. These anticipatory actions aim to prevent and mitigate – to the extent possible – the effects of extreme weather on the food security and nutrition of highly vulnerable people.

Leveraging WFP’s expertise in building systems across Latin America and the Caribbean, anticipatory action can provide an additional layer of protection against climate risks. WFP’s objective is to create nationally owned systems that incorporate AA to protect the region’s most at-risk populations by strengthening national early warning capabilities, advocating for the incorporation of anticipatory action principles in social protection and supporting financial sustainability.

WFP is already working with governments to bolster existing disaster management and social protection systems, offering a unique opportunity to scale up anticipatory actions.