Pillar 04

Research &
Learning.

Evidence that strengthens the system — continuously improving what we know and how we act.

04
Overview

The evidence engine behind Kenya's AA system.

Anticipatory action is a relatively young field, and Kenya's programme is committed to generating the evidence needed to improve its own systems, influence global practice, and advocate for sustained investment from governments and donors.

This pillar drives cost-benefit research, impact evaluations, forecast verification studies, and structured after-action reviews — creating a continuous improvement cycle that makes each activation more effective than the last.

Through partnerships with academic institutions, global research networks like the Anticipation Hub, and national research bodies, the pillar ensures that Kenya's learning contributes to the global evidence base on what works in forecast-based humanitarian action.

Key Numbers
$1:$7
Cost-benefit ratio evidenced
100%
Activations subject to review
5+
Academic partnerships active
Annual
Global learning publications
Key Objectives

What this pillar aims to achieve.

Cost-Benefit Research

Produce rigorous cost-benefit analyses of AA interventions comparing pre-emptive action against equivalent emergency response costs across hazard and livelihood contexts.

Technology and Innovation

Test emerging technologies — remote sensing, mobile data collection, AI forecast processing — that can improve trigger accuracy, beneficiary targeting, or delivery speed.

Academic and Global Partnerships

Build formal research partnerships with Kenyan universities, ILRI, ICPAC, and global AA networks to co-produce evidence that is both locally relevant and globally influential.

Institutionalised Learning

Establish structured learning cycles — after-action reviews, annual learning reviews, peer exchanges — that systematically embed evidence into programme adaptation.

Key Activities

How we are delivering.

01

Impact Evaluation of AA Activations

Commissioning independent impact evaluations for major AA activations, using control group comparisons where feasible to generate causal evidence on household welfare outcomes.

02

Cost-Benefit Analysis Studies

Producing cost-benefit analyses comparing AA intervention costs against estimated avoided losses and emergency response costs, building the economic case for sustained AA investment.

03

Technology Pilots

Piloting emerging technologies — satellite-derived drought indices, mobile beneficiary verification, AI-assisted forecast interpretation — in partnership with tech innovators and academic institutions.

04

Academic Partnership Development

Formalising research partnerships with Kenyan universities and international institutions, co-producing peer-reviewed evidence on trigger calibration, intervention effectiveness, and system governance.

05

Annual Global Learning Publication

Contributing to the Anticipation Hub, IFRC FbF knowledge management platform, and other global repositories to ensure Kenya's learning informs global AA practice.

Get Involved

Access our research.

Explore evaluation reports, evidence products, and learning publications from Kenya's AA programme.

View Reports
All Pillars

Explore the full framework.