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Climate disasters have almost tripled in the past four decades in the MENA region, an area that remains one of the least funded regions in-terms of climate finance. Rising temperatures, water scarcity (drought), decreasing crop yields, and flash floods are affecting around 40 million people in the region, including those living in conflict-affected nations like Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Libya.
Anticipatory action refers to actions taken before a crisis hits to prevent or reduce potential disaster impacts prior to a shock or before acute impacts are felt. The actions are carried out based on forecasts or predictions of how the event will unfold.
In the MENA region, several key stakeholders have been advancing the AA agenda, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement, the World Food Programme (WFP), World Vision International (WVI), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), along with governments, national meteorological and hydrological services, research institutions and universities.
What is anticipatory action and why it's important
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Krystell Santamaria on the 1st MENA DP
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Energy, ideas, collaboration: the 2nd MENA Dialogue Platform in motion
The 2nd Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Humanitarian Action took place in July 2025, in Dubai, UAE. In this video, some of the participants share their reflections from the event.
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Anticipatory Action Community of Practice Middle East & North Africa region (MENA)
The main objective of this MENA region anticipatory action Community of Practice is to establish a space for technical and advocacy coordination, collaboration and learning exchange and capacity strengthening on anticipatory action and acting earlier ahead of disasters in the region. It will bring together key actors to work together to ensure an effective and coordinated efforts to scale up anticipatory action in the region.
Find out more and register hereAdditional information
Are you working on anticipatory action in the MENA region?
If yes, please get in touch as we want to share project information and experiences for this region here.
Charbel Elia
IFRC MENA Regional Anticipatory Action Senior Officer
Email: charbel.elia@ifrc.org
Phone: +961 81 552 325
Rita Petralba
GRC MENA Thematic Advisor (DRR, Urban, FbF)
Email: r.petrabla@drk.de