Reducing flood impacts through forecast-based action

Interest in forecast-based early action for floods in Kenya is growing as a result of the detrimental floods in 2018. There are promising entry points for linking flood forecasts with social protection systems to reduce impacts. Anticipatory cash transfers channelled through national social protection systems could have a specific role in helping reduce the impact of longer-term displacement as a result of flooding, supporting timely evacuations and helping protect livestock or other movable assets. Social protection systems more generally could be used to enhance flood risk management. As beneficiary registers improve, these can be used for targeting activities and communicating early warnings. Further development of a forecast-based early action system for floods in Kenya will require improvements in flood risk data and validation of forecasts, greater coordination between government agencies (at county and national level), and clarity on institutional responsibilities for early action and financing.