Iraq workshop highlights anticipatory action as key to building disaster resilience

28-30 August 2024 | Baghdad, Iraq – The UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment in Iraq, FAO, WFP, and IOM organized a significant workshop titled "Building Resilience: Anticipatory Action Planning for Disaster Risk Reduction in Iraq," aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and response strategies across the country.

Anticipatory action constitutes an integral part of disaster risk management and complements humanitarian assistance, mitigates the impacts of disasters, and protects development gains in support of wider disaster risk reduction efforts. “The global context for anticipatory action is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and we have compelling evidence highlighting its benefits,” said Nora Achkar, Chief of UNDRR ROAS in her opening remarks. “However, despite its significant advantages, anticipatory action faces formidable barriers and is currently underutilized, particularly by governments who struggle to access established sources of anticipatory financing,” she added.

The first day of the workshop featured a high-level panel discussion on the current challenges and opportunities related to anticipatory action and disaster risk reduction in Iraq. The discussion focused on Iraq’s climate vulnerability, adaptation strategies, and the integration of anticipatory measures into national planning.

Day two began with a recap of the previous day's discussions, followed by an in-depth exploration of Iraq's climate vulnerability context. This session included assessments of hazards and risks and discussions on adaptation options.

The focus then shifted to climate information systems for early warning and actions, with UNDRR, UNDP, and WFP presenting strategies to improve early warning systems and identify gaps in Iraq’s preparedness. Group exercises further enriched participants' understanding of early warning and action systems.

On the final day, the workshop delved into the nexus between climate migration and security, with insights from IOM. The session on "Mapping Anticipatory Action and Finance for Disaster Risk Reduction" highlighted the need for national finance mechanisms for DRR, including budget tracking and financial landscape surveys. Discussions centered on integrating anticipatory action into financial planning for pre-disaster activities.

The workshop concluded with a focus on outcomes and next steps, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration among UN actors, ministries, and other stakeholders. The event highlighted the transformative potential of anticipatory action in enhancing Iraq’s resilience to disasters.