Forecast-based Action by the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF)

Building upon the knowledge and expertise in disaster management and years of experience in developing community early warning systems, the Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies and partners have been working on developing the Forecast-based Financing (FbF) approach since 2007. FbF enables access to humanitarian funding for pre-defined early action in a systematic way based on in-depth forecast information and risk analysis.

With the support from the German Red Cross, the German Federal Foreign Office and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre, the FbF approach was further refined through the design and development of FbF pilot projects in Peru, Bangladesh and Mozambique since 2013. At the moment, 16 National Societies in Africa, the Americas and Asia Pacific are implementing FbF. With this methodology, forecasts have successfully triggered early action to assist communities in Peru, Togo, Uganda, Bangladesh and Mongolia ahead of predicted humanitarian impact.

As an answer to the demand of a rapidly growing number of National Societies implementing FbF and to meet its global commitments, the IFRC has established a global risk financing mechanism to assure predictable funding for forecast-based action by extending the use of its long-standing Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Forecast-based Action by the DREF is a dedicated and sustainable instrument, providing a vehicle for donors and partners to support the FbF approach. Having a leading role in developing innovative mechanisms and tools for a more efficient and effective use of scarce resources in the humanitarian system, the German Federal Foreign Office has committed to provide multi-year funding into the new mechanism.

At this event, IFRC will introduce the new Forecast-based Action by the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF), present case studies on how to implement the FbF approach and discuss how to accelerate anticipatory action to promote a forward-looking humanitarian system.

Please note that places are limited. For registration and more information, please contact Kara Devonna Siahaan at [email protected].