When the rain did not come, insurance did

Humanity Insured is a charity established to make insurance protection accessible to the world’s most vulnerable people – those living in regions affected by conflict, poverty, or extreme environmental risk. 

Founded on the principle that no one should be driven into poverty by the growing threat of climate disasters, Humanity Insured funds grants that subsidize insurance premiums, giving at risk communities access to insurance that when triggered results in pre-agreed payouts, even in fragile states. 

By partnering with leading humanitarian organizations and global insurers like Allianz, Humanity Insured makes pre-arranged finance a reality where it is needed most – ensuring that relief arrives to protect lives and livelihoods not after devastation, but before. 

Allianz – a founding partner – brings funding and deep insurance expertise². “This collaboration is part of Allianz’s broader commitment to strengthen resilience across communities by supporting innovative insurance models to real-world challenges like food insecurity, forced displacement, and climate volatility,” says Durisch.

The humanitarian situation is dire in many developing countries, and Syria is one of the most vulnerable. A decade of civil war has left infrastructure in ruins, livelihoods shattered, and more than 3 million people suffering acute food insecurity. Now, the climate crisis is adding a cruel layer to the country's hardship.

Following the driest winter in 70 years and scorching summer heatwaves, the northeast of Syria is facing catastrophic agricultural failure. Crops have failed, wells are running dry and rural livelihoods are eroding fast.

“Rainfall is down by more than half, and in some areas, farmers have lost nearly all their crops,” says Khalid Osman, WFP Syria Deputy Country Director. “Wheat production is expected to fall short by 2.7 million tons. Soaring costs for feed and irrigation are putting enormous strain on rural families. This is more than climate shock; it is a livelihood crisis.”

“This first payout marks a turning point – not just for families in Syria, but for how we approach climate risk in the world’s most vulnerable places,” says Charlie Langdale, CEO of Humanity Insured. “It proves pre-arranged finance can work, even in conflict zones.”

The World Food Programme has long worked at the frontlines of crisis response – particularly in fragile and conflict-affected states. With 10years of scaling up its disaster risk financing operations, WFP brings extensive operational reach, local networks, and the technical capacity to deliver aid quickly and effectively.

Mathieu Dubreuil, WFP’s Lead Advisor for Climate & Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance, explains: “We are demonstrating that disaster risk financing instruments, and insurance in particular, are an efficient way to support food insecure communities with an early response to a catastrophic event, even in the most fragile contexts. This payout is a proof of concept that these instruments can prevent communities from being left behind when impacted by climate extremes.”

WFP’s involvement ensures that not only is the financial mechanism in place, but also that the relief reaches those who need it most – fast, and with dignity.

While Syria’s challenges remain pressing, this first payout offers a glimpse into how climate risk financing can shift from reactive to proactive.

In a world of increasing climate extremes, insurance that meets the needs of vulnerable communities may become not just a financial product but also a frontline humanitarian tool.