Apply for Mercy Corps World’s First Anticipatory Action Accelerator: A New Era in Humanitarian Aid
In a groundbreaking move to revolutionize humanitarian assistance, Mercy Corps Ventures (MCV) has officially launched the Anticipatory Action Accelerator—an unprecedented initiative designed to identify and implement innovative solutions that address the pressing needs of climate-vulnerable communities around the globe. Building upon successful pilots in Kenya and Nepal, this accelerator aims to leverage cutting-edge technologies such as climate data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), and crypto payment systems. By forging partnerships with startups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders, the Anticipatory Action Accelerator signals a transformative approach in delivering humanitarian aid.
Goals of the Accelerator: Turning Vision into Action
The mission of the Anticipatory Action Accelerator is multifaceted, with several key objectives aimed at enhancing global humanitarian efforts:
- Immediate Implementation of Promising Solutions: The accelerator intends to identify innovative Anticipatory Action solutions and provide funding for their implementation. This proactive approach will better equip climate-vulnerable populations to prepare for the adverse effects of climate change, offering a lifeline to those at risk.
- Building an Evidence Base: A critical component of the accelerator’s strategy is to establish a portfolio of pilots that demonstrate how Anticipatory Action can create a more responsive, efficient, and equitable humanitarian aid landscape. This evidence base will serve as a foundation for best practices and scaling efforts in the future.
- Scaling Up and Attracting Investment: By demonstrating the effectiveness of Anticipatory Action programs, the accelerator aims to foster global awareness and investment in this proactive model of humanitarian assistance. The ultimate goal is to mobilize additional capital to create a sustainable framework for delivering aid before crises occur.
The Humanitarian Challenge: A Call for Innovation
The current humanitarian landscape is dire; nearly 300 million people worldwide are in need of assistance. In 2023 alone, an estimated USD 223.7 billion was allocated for aid—a figure comparable to the annual GDPs of various nations. Despite this substantial investment, a staggering 99% of humanitarian aid is reactive, distributed only after disasters have struck. This means that only a mere 1% is dedicated to proactive risk reduction and management.
Interestingly, while more than half of all humanitarian crises can be predicted, and about 20% are deemed highly predictable, the conventional aid model fails to capitalize on this knowledge. Research indicates that Anticipatory Action—providing aid before disasters occur—can be up to seven times more cost-effective than traditional forms of humanitarian support.
The challenge, therefore, lies in designing a humanitarian aid system capable of preemptively addressing crises and minimizing the damaging effects of shock events.
Harnessing Innovative Technology to Reshape Humanitarian Aid
A suite of emerging technology solutions is redefining how the humanitarian sector anticipates and responds to climate and conflict-related crises. With advances in remote sensing, high-fidelity satellite data, digital currencies, and sophisticated climate analytics, the ILO is committed to building responsible solutions that address the unique needs of the most vulnerable populations.
Anticipatory Action effectively integrates these technologies. By utilizing predictive analytics to evaluate data trends, experts can identify looming disasters ahead of time. This proactive approach allows funding organizations to deploy resources quickly using digital currency and payment systems, delivering support directly to those likely to be impacted. The benefits of this model include:
- Substantial Return on Investment: Research indicates that every dollar invested in Anticipatory Action yields approximately $7 in benefits and avoided losses. Over a 20-year horizon, that return can increase to an astounding $34. This approach not only decreases long-term recovery needs but also mitigates future costs.
- Empowerment and Dignity for Beneficiaries: By providing unconditional cash support prior to a crisis, Anticipatory Action respects the autonomy and choices of affected individuals. Beneficiaries can determine how best to allocate the funds according to their unique circumstances, which fosters dignity while simultaneously empowering communities to plan ahead and lessen the impacts of emergencies.
- Higher Efficiency and Scalability: By leveraging advanced technologies like remote sensing, predictive analytics, and innovative financial technologies, Anticipatory Action programs can be easily replicated and scaled to meet the needs of the 300 million individuals currently requiring humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, utilizing blockchain technology can reduce transaction costs by over 90% and transaction times by more than 75% compared to traditional methods.
About the Anticipatory Action Accelerator
Positioned at the confluence of advanced climate analytics, crypto payment systems, and humanitarian aid, the Anticipatory Action Accelerator is focused on transforming aid delivery to underserved communities across the Global South. The initiative aims to collaborate with organizations operating in diverse regions, including Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Pacific Islands, and the Western Balkans, that are pioneering Anticipatory Action solutions to improve humanitarian aid delivery.
To support these innovative organizations, MCV will allocate equity-free grants of up to $100,000 to selected partners, contingent upon the achievement of predefined milestones. In addition to providing capital, MCV will offer mentorship, impact measurement guidance, partnership opportunities, knowledge sharing, and increased brand visibility to enhance the effectiveness and outreach of their innovative solutions.
About Mercy Corps Ventures
Mercy Corps Ventures (MCV) serves as the impact investment arm of Mercy Corps, a leading international development agency dedicated to alleviating poverty in over 40 countries. MCV has made over 50 equity investments that focus on the intersection of climate resilience and innovative technology solutions aimed at improving the lives of low-income individuals in emerging markets.
The Anticipatory Action Accelerator is just one of several initiatives spearheaded by MCV’s Venture Lab, which also manages impactful projects such as AI for Climate Resilience, the Climate Tech Facility, and the Crypto for Good Fund. With a track record of screening more than 1,000 proposals, launching over 20 solutions, and deploying over $3 million in funding, MCV has positively impacted the lives of over 40,000 people.
Join the Movement: Apply Now
The call for innovation and solutions is urgent. Applications to the Anticipatory Action Accelerator will be reviewed on a rolling basis, offering early applicants a significant advantage in standing out from the crowd. The deadline for submissions is set for February 14, 2025.
For those interested in learning more about the Anticipatory Action Accelerator, a webinar will be hosted on Thursday, January 30th at 9 AM EST / 2 PM CET. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights into how you can contribute to transforming humanitarian aid for millions.
As Mercy Corps Ventures takes bold strides to reshape the future of humanitarian assistance, the possibilities for collaboration, innovation, and impact are vast. Join the movement today and help change the way we respond to crises for a healthier, more resilient world.
Visit the Mercy Corps Official Site
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