Household-level effects of providing forecast-based cash in anticipation of extreme weather events: Quasi-experimental evidence from humanitarian interventions in the 2017 floods in Bangladesh

Evaluation of Early Action Mechanisms in Peru Regarding Preparedness for El Niño

“…Our results are at some point similar to the most recent published study by Gros et al (2019) in terms of a positive 5 A balance check using the kernel density of the propensity scores was also made for these specifications, resulting in graphics similar to Fig. 7.…”

“…The former examines the costs and benefits of applying typhoon resilient housing measures in Da Nang (Vietnam), and the latter applies probabilistic cost-benefit analysis to evaluate selected disaster risk reduction measures that reduce losses to structures in hazard-prone areas in low-and middle-income developing countries. On the other hand, Gros et al (2019) implemented a quasi-experiment to measure the impact of a forecast-based provision of cash on households in Bangladesh to reduce the flood impact (rent a truck to move their animals temporarily to higher ground), finding positive effects.…”

“…Since 2014, the Red Cross has developed the FbF as an innovating program in order to help communities prepare and respond to shocks as well as reduce vulnerability and build lasting resilience (Coughlan De Perez et al 2015). Even the range and extent of anticipatory actions could change with the forecast's lead time, and thus the degree of uncertainty (for example, short-term risks such as cyclones and storms can be forecast with relatively high skill); action based on early warning systems (such as cyclones) has saved many lives and prevented damage (Galindo and Batta 2013;Rogers and Tsirkunov 2013;Harriman 2014;Gros et al 2019).…”

“…Previous literature, which performed impact evaluation of an early warning intervention such as the FbF and involved experiments or quasi-experiments, is scarce. An exception is Gros et al (2019) study in which a quasi-experimental investigation was implemented to estimate the impact of forecast-based provision of cash to help vulnerable populations take preparatory early actions. The goal of Gros and colleagues was to prevent and reduce negative disaster (flood) impacts in Bangladesh on a set of outcomes that is different than ours.…”

Leveraging Technology and Innovation for Disaster Risk Management and Financing

“…A number of humanitarian organizations are using forecast-based financing to reduce the impact of disasters on vulnerable households. One study examined the impact of a forecast-based cash transfer made to vulnerable households in Bangladesh in advance of 2017 flooding and found that those that received the cash transfer had improved access to food, accumulated less (high-interest) debt, and suffered from lower levels of stress during and after the flood period than those that did not receive the advance funding (Gros et al 2019).…”