Getting ahead of disasters and protecting people at scale

This policy guidance paper aims to highlight the critical need for stronger links between early action and social protection systems to safeguard vulnerable populations from the impacts of climate-related disasters. The focus of the paper is identifying key areas where early action and social protection can be more effectively integrated, exploring existing barriers that hinder such integration, and presenting strategies for overcoming these challenges.

The document gives the following key recommendations for policy and practice:

• Advocate for a risk-informed and proactive approach within social protection actors;
• Enhance collaboration and coordination within government and with external organisations;
• Consider how social protection can contribute to all aspects of climate resilience;
• Make use of technological advances and innovation;
• Build local capacity and community engagement;
• Pre-arrange finance for shock-responsive social protection;
• Link social protection and early action in government processes and policies;
• Build evidence and learn continuously.