Reaching the Last Mile with Early Warning Information for Anticipatory Action

What if early warning systems could reach the most remote communities before disaster strikes? 

Our Theory of Change is simple but powerful:  If early warnings reach the hard-to-reach,  If communities are mobilised on time,  If financing, supplies, and coordination are in place... 

Then early life-saving action can be effectively implemented, thereby reducing the adverse impacts of the drought.  In 2024, World vision Kenya implemented a pilot Anticipatory Action (AA) project in Marsabit County, with support from Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH). With a focus on drought-prone pastoralist communities, the project strengthened community capacity, enhanced local ownership and prioritised reaching the most marginalised through early warning and proactive action. By working through Community Development Facilitators (CDFs) and local governance systems, early warning messages were delivered using WhatsApp, barazas, school, and radio broadcasts – ensuring even the most remote communities have access to life-saving forecasts.  

Key Highlights: 

✅ Reached over 47,000 people across 10 sub-locations 

✅ Trained 30+ CDFs as Trainers of trainers on Anticipatory Action 

✅ Strengthened school Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Clubs and community preparedness 

✅ Supported early actions like hay baling and water conservation 

✅ Institutionalised AA at the grassroots level for long-term sustainability 

📙 Read the full story of how local voices, local languages, and local leadership are transforming drought preparedness in Kenya