The G7 foreign ministers issue a statement on the need to strengthen anticipatory action in humanitarian assistance

Last Friday, the G7 foreign ministers issued a statement outlining their commitment to strengthening anticipatory action in humanitarian assistance. The statement sets out their shared understanding of the potential of anticipatory action, explains how the G7 countries want to see this approach scaled up and mainstreamed across the humanitarian sector - and commits to "making the humanitarian system as anticipatory as possible".  

Such high-level support for anticipatory action is imperative if this approach is to be scaled up and benefit even more communities vulnerable to the impacts of predictable hazards. Kara Siahaan, head of the Anticipation Hub, welcomed the announcement, particularly its recognition of local actors. “We are encouraged to see recognition of the crucial role of local actors for the success of anticipatory action," she noted. "To match this increasing commitment, we call upon the anticipatory action community of practitioners, scientists and policy-makers to proactively and collectively design solutions that could scale up locally led anticipatory action.”

Importantly, the G7 statement also outlines the need to increase financial commitments for anticipatory approaches – and notes that the G7 countries will, as "the leading donors of the humanitarian system, strive to significantly increase our financial support in anticipatory action programming". They aim to achieve this by supporting existing funds, such as the Central Emergency Response Fund, the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund and the Start Network’s Start Fund and Start Ready.

This acknowledgement of funding needs was also positively received by those working on anticipatory action. “We appreciate the acknowledgement that more finance is needed for anticipatory action, and that existing instruments and funds should be adapted to facilitate this,” said Ben Webster, head of secretariat at the Risk-informed Early Action Partnership. “We welcome this renewed commitment from G7 countries towards anticipatory approaches, which seek to put people first and manage ever-growing risks in more proactive ways.”

Photos: Top © storytile; bottom: EAP for Cyclones simulation, Bangladesh. © German Red Cross