Navigating Anticipatory Actions in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings to Improve Food, Land, and Water Systems: Insights and Best Practices

Explore the complexities of implementing Anticipatory Actions (AA) in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings (FCAS) during part one of our three-part series. FCAS present unique challenges for humanitarian and development efforts due to heightened vulnerability and complexity. In these contexts, the agri-food system plays a crucial role in ensuring food security, livelihoods, and sustainable development. However, these systems are characterized by instability, restricted resource access, and gender inequalities.

Proactive approaches like AA are increasingly recognized as essential tools for mitigating risks and building resilience in FCAS. Yet, implementing AA comes with challenges such as limited data and resources, heightened security risks, and navigating diverse stakeholder interests, particularly in ongoing conflicts. Despite these obstacles, implementing AA holds transformative potential. By leveraging innovative technologies and community-driven approaches, stakeholders can enhance early warning capabilities and strengthen adaptive capacity. Partnerships among stakeholders, empowerment of local communities, and conflict-sensitive strategies are vital for progress in improving food, land, and water systems and promoting sustainable development.

The CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration acknowledges the critical importance of addressing these challenges to foster sustainable solutions and aligns with broader global agendas for peace, security, and sustainable development. As such, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in collaboration with the Anticipation Hub’s Anticipatory Action in Conflict Practitioners’ Group is hosting a webinar focused on the nuanced landscape of AAs within FCASs. The webinar aims to explore these challenges and opportunities in-depth, offering insights and best practices to empower participants to navigate AA effectively in FCAS.