Anticipatory action and cash transfers for slow-onset hazards: Practitioners’ note for field testing

Asia and the Pacific, one of the most hazard prone-regions in the world, is now starting to grapple with an increasing number of slow-onset hazard crises. Anticipatory action (AA) is considered a valuable tool for reducing or mitigating the impacts of potential hazard events. Cash is rightfully acknowledged as an option for delivering effective, cost-efficient and timely assistance to vulnerable households within the critical window of AA. The authors aimed to explore diverse contexts – from some of the most populated countries to the least – to understand how cash can be effectively utilised in different settings for AA in slow-onset hazards. In the realm of slow-onset hazards, the focus will be on droughts and extreme winter seasons, aligning with the body of learning that has unfolded in Asia and the Pacific thus far.

The paper addresses the following four key goals:

• Unpack what cash means for slow-onset AA and how it differs from cash for rapid-onset AA ; provide examples; and highlight key considerations.
• Develop a guidance note on developing the cash transfer values for slow-onset AA.
• Explore the relationship between in-kind/service delivery and cash assistance.
• Identify points for further research to test the recommendations.