Challenges

Mozambique and the Dominican Republic are highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters, which threaten livelihoods, food systems, and social protection. Mozambique, among Africa’s most climate-exposed countries, has advanced adaptive social protection (ASP) but still faces challenges in planning, financing, and coordination. The Dominican Republic, frequently affected by hurricanes and droughts, has integrated ASP into its national strategy, strengthening systems to better support vulnerable populations through prevention, preparedness, and response measures.

Both countries acknowledge the need to improve coordination between disaster risk management and social protection, and to enhance early action and targeting tools. This initiative promoted knowledge exchange between the two countries to strengthen institutional capacities for more effective, forecast-based responses and greater resilience.

Toward a Solution

Mozambique and the Dominican Republic joined forces through South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) to strengthen the shock-responsiveness of their social protection systems and integrate anticipatory action (AA) for more effective disaster preparedness and response. This partnership aimed to enhance both countries’ capacities to prevent, mitigate, and respond to climate-related shocks by leveraging their institutional frameworks, tools, and experiences.

The initiative contributed to key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The collaboration focused on sharing best practices in Adaptive Social Protection (ASP), which integrates social protection with disaster risk management and climate resilience. A key objective was to improve institutional capacities to respond proactively to natural hazards. Tools such as the Basic Emergency Form (FIBE) and the Climate Shock Vulnerability Index (IVACC), developed by the Dominican Republic with WFP support, were recognized for their effectiveness in targeting and reaching vulnerable populations. Mozambique’s drought early warning system, SAP-Seca, provided valuable insights into Forecast-Based Financing (FbF) mechanisms.

Building on WFP’s long-standing support to Mozambique in strengthening the national ASP system, a knowledge exchange was co-designed by WFP and government partners from both countries. The goal was to help Mozambique learn from the Dominican Republic’s targeting tools and assist the Dominican Republic in exploring how AA could be applied in drought-prone contexts, using Mozambique’s experience as a case study.

Ahead of the in-person exchange, both countries participated in a virtual preparatory session to clarify mutual learning goals and better understand each other’s institutional contexts and challenges. From 13–17 November 2023, a Mozambican government delegation, led by the National Director of Social Action and comprising technical officers from the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Action (MGCAS), the National Institute of Social Action (INAS), and the National Institute of Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), visited the Dominican Republic. The mission included technical discussions, site visits, and peer learning to explore challenges and solutions for the timely design and implementation of ASP—especially actions initiated before a shock occurs.

Following the visit, WFP facilitated a follow-up working session with MGCAS, INAS, and INGD in Mozambique to define priority actions and develop a joint workplan. A coordination meeting between INAS and INGD addressed the interoperability between their management information systems (e-INAS and the newly developed INGD MIS). Additionally, a visibility workshop was held in Mozambique to disseminate the lessons learned with a broader audience, including government stakeholders, UN agencies, and potential partners.

Key outcomes of the initiative include stronger institutional commitment to adaptive and anticipatory approaches, enhanced technical capacities in forecast-based planning, and more robust peer networks to support continued collaboration. Both countries are now better equipped to design scalable, flexible responses that protect vulnerable populations before crises occur.

Innovative elements of the initiative include the cross-country adaptation of tools like IVACC and FIBE, and the integration of anticipatory financing models such as SAP-Seca into national social protection frameworks. Grounded in local leadership and real-world application, the initiative has helped build more inclusive, data-driven systems that are better prepared for future risks.

Sustainability is being reinforced through the integration of lessons learned into national disaster risk management and social protection strategies. Continued investments in capacity strengthening, policy alignment, and inter-institutional coordination will ensure the durability of the progress made. WFP will continue supporting institutionalization through its broader capacity-strengthening strategies under each country’s Country Strategic Plan.

Key Lessons Learned:

• Strong inter-institutional coordination is essential for timely and effective responses. Mozambique, in particular, recognized the need to deepen collaboration between social protection and disaster risk management institutions.
• System interoperability enhances responsiveness. Seamless data-sharing across institutions supports faster, more coordinated action in emergencies.
• Mutual learning strengthens adaptive capacity. The exchange affirmed a core principle of SSTC: all countries have knowledge to share and lessons to learn.
• SSTC seed funding plays a catalytic role. Initial investments helped mobilize additional technical and financial resources, while also engaging key decision-makers and encouraging national investments in system strengthening.