More than 100 representatives from governments, international organizations, civil society groups, and disaster-affected communities gathered in the Chilean capital last week for the 7th Platform for Dialogue on Anticipatory Action in South America. The meeting, held under the theme “Act sooner, protect better,” focused on expanding efforts to prepare for crises before they unfold.

 

Anticipatory action is an emerging strategy aimed at protecting people and their livelihoods ahead of disasters. By combining science, technology, and local knowledge, practitioners hope to reduce the human and economic toll of climate-related shocks. Such measures can include forecast-based decision-making, early warning systems, training exercises, cash transfers, and the distribution of emergency supplies.

 

The Santiago forum provided a venue to share lessons from across the region, which faces increasingly severe floods, droughts, landslides, and other climate-driven hazards. It was organized by the Anticipation Hub, with support from the Chilean Red Cross, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and several humanitarian partners.

 

“Acting earlier, protecting better is the essence of anticipatory action: transforming response into prevention,” said Maya Takagi, Regional Program Leader at FAO. “This approach has become central to safeguarding agricultural livelihoods and food security worldwide.”

 

Loyce Pace, Director for the Americas at the IFRC, emphasized the urgency of preparedness in a time of strained humanitarian budgets. “Being prepared is not optional; it is vital,” she said. “We cannot predict precisely when the next disaster will strike, but we do know that investing in anticipation saves lives and resources.”

 

Studies suggest that each dollar spent on disaster preparedness can avert as much as $15 in recovery costs. Across Latin America and the Caribbean, the Red Cross network has been working to strengthen early warning systems, counter misinformation, develop evacuation and shelter plans, and integrate anticipatory measures into national policy.

 

Since its launch in 2018, the dialogue platform has convened in Peru, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, and Colombia, helping to build a regional community of practice. The Santiago meeting reinforced that collaboration, renewing South America’s commitment to confronting disasters with foresight rather than reaction.

Reference: IFRC