UNICEF/WFP Return on Investment for Emergency Preparedness Study

A Return on Investment model has been developed and applied based on 49 emergency preparedness investments in three pilot countries: Chad, Pakistan and Madagascar. These investments include four main operational areas (logistics, procurement, staffing and partnerships/ external contracting). A total of $5.6 million was invested in interventions covered by the study. Overall, the study demonstrates that 100% of all UNICEF and WFP investments in emergency preparedness examined were found to save significant time or costs in the event of an emergency. In the context of projected risk on the likelihood, timing and scope of future emergencies specific to each country, the study found:

• Future emergency response-related costs have been reduced by $12.0 million, representing $6.4 million in net savings.
• Time savings drawn from these investments range from 2 to 50 days, or average time savings of more than one week.
• No preparedness interventions resulted in lost time or slower future response speed.
• Time-savings are particularly critical in humanitarian action since the speed of programme implementation has direct implications to lives saved during a time of crisis.