Pre-alert guidance note - drought

This document is designed to make it easier for agencies to raise Start Fund anticipatory alerts for drought, or to submit Start Fund project proposals when an alert has been activated.

The Start Fund Crisis Anticipation Window enables members to begin responding before a crisis turns into a disaster. Acting in anticipation of humanitarian crises is new for many agencies. It can be difficult to decide when to trigger an anticipatory alert through the Start Fund and what activities are the most effective.

The guidance helps you decide whether your agency should raise an anticipatory Start Fund alert for drought, including;

  • the information you need

  • the indicators that may support the forecast

  • whether the Start Fund Crisis Anticipation window is appropriate for the anticipated crisis, and 

  • when to raise the alert.

The guidance also helps you determine the kinds of projects that would be effective, if the alert for drought is activated.