Anticipatory Action and Traditional Knowledge

Anticipatory action is a system that combines forecasting, proactive actions, pre-positioned financing, and capacity building to protect people from the impact of hazards such as cyclones, floods, earthquakes, fires, droughts, rising sea levels, and other such events. The purpose of anticipatory action is to limit the cascading impact of natural hazards on people’s lives and livelihoods before they become a disaster.

The objective of this research was to map cultural and sacred knowledge as it relates to natural hazards and the changing environment across 6 case study sites in Timor-Leste, and to then identify potential entry points to use traditional knowledge in anticipatory action programming.

The team conducted a series of interviews, participatory FGDs and stakeholder workshops with farmers, customary leaders, civil society representatives and APC commanders, focusing on using participatory research techniques to encourage research uptake.

This project is due for completion in July 2024.