We innovate to find new approaches to funding that are proactive and that reach people at risk quickly.
Our reach
Crisis alerts we respond to around the world.
Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) 2024
We will be at this year’s Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) to showcase learning from our programmes and advocate for more locally led and anticipatory action in the humanitarian sector.
Join us!UKRAINE LOCAL POOLED FUND
Our new fund aims to increase the amount of humanitarian funding to local and national actors in Ukraine, resulting in locally led humanitarian action reaching people in need.
Read moreAreas of work
Start Network’s vision is for a more balanced international aid system that is accountable to people affected by or at risk of crises.
Start Network is based on innovation: looking for new ways to create the system change that will shape a more effective humanitarian system.
Where we work
Americas
Americas
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Guatemala
Guatemala Hub
The hub has 11 local and national member organisations that are all community-based.
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Venezuela
Flooding in South America
Intense rains caused ravines to overflow and water systems to collapse in Venezuela.
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Central and South America
Start Fund Response
Start Fund provides rapid response funding to under-the-radar, small to medium-scale crises, filling a critical gap in the humanitarian aid system.
Europe
Europe
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Ukraine
The need for a more equitable humanitarian response
Start Network's approach to the Ukraine crisis is based on learning from other larger-scale crises that the Start Fund has responded to in the past.
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Serbia, Bulgaria
Migration Emergency Response Fund
The objective of the MERF was to rapidly respond to acute and emerging gaps and changes in needs along migration route.
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Greece, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia
European Refugee Response
Start Network co-ordinated a two phase response to the European Refugee Crisis through ERR1 and ERR2.
Africa
Africa
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DRC
DRC Hub
The hub brings together nearly 60 local, national, and international organisations in DRC.
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DRC, Senegal, Zimbabwe
Start Ready
Start Ready is a unique financing mechanism that uses advanced planning so that funding can be rapidly released when needed most.
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Zimbabwe, Senegal
ARC Replica
ARC Replica is a partnership with African Risk Capacity and African Union member states that helps African countries proactively manage climate-related risks through disaster risk insurance.
Asia
Asia
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Bangladesh, Nepal
National Start Funds
National Start Funds are there to finance locally led humanitarian action, with members managing their own funds for the benefit of their own communities.
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India
INDIA HUMANITARIAN HUB
The India Humanitarian Hub (IHH) prioritises locally led action and leadership by bringing together local, national, and international humanitarian agencies that are operational in India.
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The Philippines, Bangladesh
FOREWARN
The Forecast-based, Warning, Analysis, and Response Network aims to quickly bring together the right people to predict disasters and support humanitarians closest to an anticipated crisis.
Oceania
Oceania
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Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati
Pacific Region Hub
The Pacific Humanitarian FALE is working to engage locally led humanitarian actors so that they can provide services that ensure the lives of people are safeguarded in any crisis.
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Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati
THE LOCALISATION OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN THE PACIFIC
Josie Flint from HAG speaks about the work they have been doing and the influence that the Start Network has had on this.
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Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati
Assembly held in Fiji, FALE-PASIFIKA
The word "fale" refers to a house that is meaningful and has a purpose when people occupy it.
Our members
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
Caritas Goma
Doaba Foundation
Muzaffarabad Poverty Alleviation Programme
Nari Development Organization (NDO)
People in Need (PIN)
Cesvi
Care International UK
Solidarités International
Rural Development Orginzation Buner
Health & Nutrition Development Society (HANDS)
Help Foundation
Doctors of the World
Sangtani Women Rural Development Organization (SWRDO)
PRO-VIDA
Age International
Manzil Organization Balochistan
Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM)
Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS)
EHD
National Integrated Development Association (NIDA-Pakistan)
Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)
ActionAid
Initiative for Development and Empowerment Axis (IDEA)
ACTED
Agricultural Development Association (PARC)
Community Development Foundation (CDF)
Dorcas Aid International
Cordaid
Caritas Sri Lanka
Sami Foundation
Veer Development Organization
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.
Mechanism for Rational Change (MRC)
The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)
World Vision
Action Against Hunger UK
Rural Community Development Society (RCDS)
HelpAge International UK
EHSAR Foundation
Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP)
Tearfund
Relief International
Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Bishops
MIDEFEHOPS ASBL
Azat Foundation
Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)
Humanity & Inclusion UK (Handicap International)
Qatar Charity
AFPDE asbl (Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène)
Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (REPID)
Islamic Relief
Welfare Association Jared
North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)
Rural Development Foundation (RDF)
Association for Gender Awareness & Human Empowerment (AGAHE)
GOAL
Yuganter
Society for Mobilization Advocacy and Justice (SMAAJ)
Caritas Bangladesh
Medair
Mercy Corps
Community World Service Asia
Muslim Aid
Farmers Development Organization
World Jewish Relief
Trócaire
Caritas India
LASOONA
Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)
Plan International
War Child
Environmental Protection Society (EPS)
Save the Children UK
CADENA
Oxfam GB
Concern Worldwide (UK)
Updates
All updatesUpholding LGBTQIA+ Rights in Disaster Settings: A Call for Inclusive Humanitarian Action
In humanitarian and disaster response efforts, LGBTQIA+ individuals are among the most vulnerable yet least visible
START FUND RISK BRIEF: APRIL 2024
The Start Fund monthly risk briefing reports on new, emerging or deteriorating situations. It is collated by the Start Network Anticipation and Risk Financing team using information from academia and research institutes, government departments, ACAPS, global risk indexes, risk information provided by Start Members and their partners, and the media. April's Risk Brief includes entries on conflict in Mozambique, extreme heat in Southeast Asia, electoral tensions in Chad and Venezuela, and flooding in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Local and National Programme Hosts: A Case Study of Eco-social Development Organisation Hosting the Disaster Risk Financing Programme, Bangladesh
Start Network aims for a locally-led humanitarian system, and the transition is already underway through the development of networks (known as ‘hubs’). Start Network hubs are collectives of local, national, and international organisations or humanitarian responders operating in the same country or region. Hubs come together through a vision of system change, to tackle the deep-rooted issues in humanitarian responses within their contexts. They are supported by the Global Start Network but ultimately, they control their resources and define their responses to crises affecting and threatening their communities.
The DRC Hub and Global Start Fund Protocol
A protocol was developed following the discussion in the DRC Hub and members workshops in June 2022, and written in collaboration with DRC Hub leaders and member representatives.
Start Network at the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) 2024
Start Network will be at this year’s Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) to showcase learning from our programmes and advocate for more locally led and anticipatory action in the humanitarian sector.
Anticipatory Action for Cyclones in Madagascar: Evaluation of the Impact and Suitability of the DRF Model
Cyclone Freddy, the longest-lasting and most powerful cyclone ever recorded, hit Madagascar on 21-22nd of February 2023, and reemerged on the 5th of March, becoming the third deadliest in the Southern Hemisphere.