Anticipatory Humanitarian Action in Conflict Settings

Anticipatory Action means acting prior to the onset of predictable hazards and, thus, aiming at reducing their impact and overall reducing human suffering and losses. Programs and projects of anticipatory action are currently being implemented in non-conflict context and mostly focused on extreme events linked to weather- and climate-related hazards, however it is evident that places with a high likelihood to be impacted by climate change are the ones affected by armed conflict and violence, which poses major challenges in the humanitarian sector and it is likely to disproportionately affected conflict affected populations severely. In this course, you will explore the potential of setting up AA in situations of armed conflict by looking at two perspectives: a. AA for climate related hazards in context already affected by conflict and b. the anticipation of humanitarian impacts of conflict. You will find out which opportunities, challenges and risks lie in setting AA system for both objectives. The training has an exploratory character and is aimed at participants with previous knowledge in the field of FbF and anticipatory action.

After introducing the concept of Anticipatory Action, current funding mechanisms and its challenges in conflict contexts, the course focuses on existing approaches how to operate in conflict contexts, different actors and their positions. You will furthermore identify options to apply the acquired knowledge in their immediate working environment. Examples will be taken from both larger humanitarian agencies such as Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, UN agencies, the START Network as well as smaller NGOs. The training is part of aha's certification scheme and can be credited towards a Certificate of Advanced Studies in "Anticipatory Humanitarian Action".