One such example of anticipatory action in practice is the Localized Multi-Hazard Anticipatory Action Facility Pakistan, launched by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) in partnership with Alliance2015 partners Acted and Concern. This initiative empowers communities with the tools, resources, and funding needed to act proactively. For instance, in 2024, WHH’s anticipatory actions in response to a heatwave reduced heatstroke cases by up to 85% in regions like Jacobabad and Bahawalpur. Affected communities received heatwave prevention kits, access to cooling centers, and heatstroke treatment, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as daily laborers and polio workers.
Saving Lives, Protecting Livelihoods, Reducing Recovery Costs
As disasters become more frequent and severe, proactive, community-driven disaster management becomes increasingly essential. WHH’s Anticipatory Action projects exemplify this approach, reaching thousands in Pakistan’s flood-prone districts like Lower Kohistan, Rajanpur, Naseerabad, Dadu, and Sukkur in 2024. These initiatives triggered early actions to mitigate flood impacts, including hygiene sessions, mental health support, animal vaccinations, provision of emergency cash, relief supplies, life-saving kits, and community infrastructure reinforcement. By implementing these measures ahead of the flood peak, the project minimized impacts and ensured timely access for the most vulnerable communities in high-risk areas.
To address food insecurity during emergencies in these drought- and flood-prone areas, WHH introduced a Kitchen Gardening program. This program equips communities with the tools and training to cultivate fruits, vegetables, and herbs, reducing reliance on external food sources that are often unavailable during emergencies. Targeted at regions that have already experienced such hazards—and are likely to face them in the future—the program also serves as a vital income source when farming becomes unfeasible. The kitchen gardens not only improve food security but also contribute to environmental stability by reducing soil erosion, improving water retention, and stabilizing flood- and landslide-prone areas.
“With the starter kit and training, I now grow my own vegetables, improving our nutrition and saving money,” Shabiran shares. Her thriving garden has become a vital source of food and a symbol of resilience, equipping her with valuable skills that foster self-reliance and enhance her family’s food security. Designed to withstand environmental challenges, the kitchen gardens use drought-resistant crops adapted to the local climate, water-efficient techniques, and adaptable gardening methods.
Shabiran’s journey exemplifies how community-driven anticipatory actions can reduce vulnerabilities before disaster strikes, empowering individuals and communities while fostering long-term resilience. While community-focused efforts like these are essential, they are most effective when combined with reliable tools for forecasting and early warning.
Know what’s going to happen before it happens
To strengthen these efforts, WHH collaborates with stakeholders such as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) to improve predictive models for hazards like heatwaves, floods, and droughts. These models enable anticipatory interventions, reducing disaster impacts and strengthening community resilience.
Building on this foundation, Pakistan launched its first National Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action in December 2023. This platform aligns strategies across government, UN agencies, NGOs, and communities, ensuring that predictive tools are integrated into coordinated disaster preparedness efforts.
Through these proactive measures, WHH has reached over 100,000 vulnerable communities, benefiting more than half a million people. These efforts have significantly contributed to reducing the loss of lives and assets while enhancing the resilience of populations in Pakistan’s hazard-prone regions.
This article originally appeared on the Alliance2015 website.
