The Somali Red Crescent Society activates its Early Action Protocol for Drought to support the most vulnerable people
On 28 January 2025, the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) announced that the forecast thresholds for a severe drought had been met for the regions of Bari, Mudug, Sool and Togdheer, and activated its Early Action Protocol (EAP) for Drought. The SRCS will implement a series of anticipatory actions to support those identified as most at risk from the impacts of the forecast drought.
Anticipatory actions to support affected communities
Having triggered the EAP for Drought, the SRCS received 373,102 Swiss francs (approx. 410,000 US dollars / 397,000 euros) from the anticipatory pillar of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund. Along with its partners, it will now begin a series of anticipatory actions:
- Early warning messages and agricultural advisory services will help to reduce drought risk by improving communities’ preparedness and providing practical tips on how to protect livelihoods, thus reducing the risks associated with food insecurity.
- Multi-purpose cash transfers will help the most vulnerable households to cope with reduced incomes (due to declining agricultural yields and livestock conditions) and any rises in food prices, with the aim of preventing families losing or having to sell their assets.
- Rehabilitating/repairing water points will enable optimal water storage, helping to address water scarcity in the coming months.
These will support 30,000 people in the target regions.
These anticipatory actions are part of a comprehensive strategy by the SRCS to enhance community resilience through anticipatory action in the face of drought. By activating this EAP, the SRCS aims to mitigate the impact of drought and protect the livelihoods of those most at risk.
The SRCS' forecast-based financing project team discuss the outputs from the drought trigger model. This is part of its emergency operations centre.
SRCS staff distribute visibility materials to regional branches.
Distribution of anticipatory action banners to regional branches.
Anticipatory action pamphlets and summaries of the EAP for Drought are distributed to regional branches.
The SRCS' forecast-based financing project team discuss the outputs from the drought trigger model. This is part of its emergency operations centre.
SRCS staff distribute visibility materials to regional branches.
Distribution of anticipatory action banners to regional branches.
Anticipatory action pamphlets and summaries of the EAP for Drought are distributed to regional branches.
The SRCS developed the EAP for Drought with support from the German Red Cross, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. This activation was coordinated by Abdilahi Elmi Ali, disaster risk management director at the SRCS.