On the 30th of August this year, we announced the signature of a game-changing insurance policy. This insurance was intended to pay out in the event of a drought in Senegal, enabling aid agencies to act before the impacts of the drought are felt by vulnerable communities. This policy would replicate an equivalent one signed by the Government of Senegal, and allow Start Network members to roll out operations alongside and in complementarity with the Government.
The following is a status update on the ARC Replica policy, dated 19th December 2018:
The way in which the ARC Replica model was set-up, the Start Network’s insurance policy was conditioned on timely receipt of the Government of Senegal’s premium, which is unfortunately delayed. As a result, the Start Network’s Replica Policy could not be made effective for Senegal at this time. By agreement between the Government of Senegal, the Start Network, the German Development Bank (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau - KfW), African Risk Capacity (ARC), the policy has therefore been withdrawn.
The funds set aside for Start Network’s 2018 premium will roll over to be used next year. In the longer term, ARC Replica partners are in discussion regarding adapting the pilot model so that the Replica partner’s operations are no longer conditional on government policy signature and purchase.
Emily Montier, Start Labs Manager said,
"The Start Network remains committed to the ARC Replica pilot. A great deal of progress has been made to bring us to this point: Start Network members have worked side by side with government counterparts to support and strengthen the ARC preparedness processes, bringing the civil society voice into processes and exploring practical ways to coordinate and plan for early response. ”
The Start Network, and the wider ARC Replica partners (including KFW, World Food Programme and ARC), will now begin planning for 2019 and 2020 to strengthen this pioneering project. We hope that in learning from experiences such as this year’s one, the ARC Replica model can be adapted and strengthened, contributing to building the evidence base for more effective, risk-informed humanitarian action that supports vulnerable communities.