Anticipatory Cash Payments in Disasters

Anticipatory actions, which aim to mitigate household vulnerabilities before forecasted natural disasters, are an emerging approach in disaster preparedness. Given the effectiveness of cash transfers in social protection systems, this scoping review examines the potential impact of anticipatory cash payments on household outcomes in natural disasters. While existing literature remains limited and the implementation of these interventions is logistically challenging, findings suggest that these interventions enhance livelihood security, asset protection, and resilience to future shocks. This review highlights the promise and complexities of anticipatory cash transfers, emphasizing their relevance for policy development and further research into proactive disaster risk reduction strategies.