Many households and communities have high exposure and vulnerability to shocks such as drought in Somalia, flood, desert locusts and conflict. For the most vulnerable areas, just one or two minor consecutive shocks can result in people engaging in negative coping strategies, becoming displaced or facing the risk of undernutrition.
Observing early warnings of imminent shocks and taking anticipatory action and early action in response can limit the immediate negative impacts on communities.
Early warning early action (EWEA) mitigates the risk of vulnerable people adopting extreme negative coping strategies or becoming dependent on aid.
Additionally, a growing body of evidence demonstrates that early action is far more cost-effective than late humanitarian response. Two recent studies on early response and disaster resilience in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia showed that even if there is uncertainty that a high-magnitude drought will occur, the cost difference is so significant that investing in early action measures is still more cost-effective.
Download the Early warning early action technical brief here.