Early Warning for Early Action Technical Brief

Many households and communities have high exposure and vulnerability to shocks such as drought in Somalia, flood, desert locusts, and conflict. For the most vulnerable areas, just one or two minor consecutive shocks can result in people engaging in negative coping strategies, becoming displaced, or facing the risk of undernutrition. Observing early warnings of imminent shocks and taking anticipatory action and early action in response can limit the immediate negative impacts on communities. Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) mitigates the risk of vulnerable people adopting extreme negative coping strategies or becoming dependent on aid. This technical brief outlines the BRiCS Consortium and their work on EWEA to enhance the resilience of communities and local systems to attain self-reliance and reduce the need for humanitarian response.