Updated Return on Investment for Preparedness to Respond Study

Based on an analysis of 19 preparedness activities across six investment categories, the study shows that investments consistently generate strong returns across contexts. On average, every US$1 invested yields US$3.40 in response cost savings and reduces emergency response lead times by 25 days, enabling assistance to reach affected populations significantly earlier.
Beyond financial and operational efficiencies, preparedness delivers substantial humanitarian, economic, and social benefits. It supports earlier and more targeted assistance, strengthens food security and nutrition outcomes, protects livelihoods, stabilises markets, and reinforces community resilience and social cohesion.
The findings also highlight the importance of a systemic and sustained approach, where investments in data, systems, logistics, skills, and partnerships collectively enhance response capacity. Overall, preparedness emerges as a highly cost-effective and scalable strategy, underscoring the need for continued and predictable investment to improve response outcomes at scale.