A new era of humanitarian action

A woman pulls a cart loaded with NFI kits in India. — NEADS, 2022

Strategy 2024-2026

Our focus for these three years reaffirms our commitment to humanitarian system change, modelled through practical action. We will focus on our key strengths and value offer as a networker, funder, innovator and influencer to help transform the sector into a more equitable, ethical and pro-active in protecting communities.

People walk through rubble in the aftermath of landsliding in Peru, to deliver hot meals to affected communities. — © ADRA, 2023

Locally-led action: The missing link in crisis finance

Reflecting on the recent report from the High-Level Panel on Closing the Crisis Protection Gap, our policy experts share key takeaways and way forward.

A woman collecting items from the distribution centre — ©2022 Elysé Andriamanantenasoa, Madagascar Cyclone response

A new era of humanitarian action

Start Network is made up of 134 humanitarian agencies across six continents, ranging from large international organisations to national NGOs

About Start Network

Humanitarians distributing kits — © 2022 Cadena

10 YEARS OF START FUND

2024 marked a decade of impact for Start Network's Start Fund. Launched in 2014, the Start Fund has become a vital mechanism, empowering our circa 100 member organisations to deliver swift and anticipatory humanitarian action around the world.

Our reach

Crisis alerts we respond to around the world.

A man speaks into a megaphone during a community awareness session occuring amid buildings damaged by the storm.

Storm Franklin Response: Supporting Affected Communities in Haiti

Following the activation of Alert 766, a coordinated response was launched to address the immediate needs of those affected by Tropical Storm Franklin.

Start Fund Handbook

The January 2025 edition of the Handbook incorporates the updated ways of working with Start Fund including its revised principles, funding threshold, project duration and Assurance and Accountability tool. It introduces a mandatory Indirect Cost Recovery (ICR) sharing policy, guidance on managing foreign exchange gains and losses, and clarification on allowable and disallowable project costs.

Early and rapid financing

We innovate to find new approaches to funding that are proactive and that reach people at risk quickly.

Locally led action

Start Network’s vision is for a more balanced international aid system that is accountable to people affected by or at risk of crises.

Systems innovation

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

Guatemala

Guatemala Hub

The Guatemala Hub is a space that seeks to guarantee the life, security and justice of people in conditions of vulnerability.
Venezuela

Flooding in South America

Intense rains caused ravines to overflow and water systems to collapse in Venezuela.
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

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.
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.
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

DRC

DRC Hub

The mission of the DRC Hub is to build a proactive operating system to mitigate the impact of natural, man-made and other disasters,
Somalia

Somali Humanitarian Hub

The Somali Humanitarian Hub (SHH) is a locally led humanitarian system, integrating humanitarian, development, and peace programming within Somalia.
South Sudan

South Sudan Hub

The South Sudan Hub comprises local, national, and international NGOs, advocating for a humanitarian architecture characterised by dependable, flexible, adequate, and needs-based funding.

Asia

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.
India

INDIA HUMANITARIAN HUB

IHH prioritises locally led action and leadership by bringing together local, national, and international humanitarian agencies across India.
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

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.
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.
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)

Age International

ACTED

Caritas Bangladesh

Concern Worldwide (UK)

Welfare Association Jared

Manzil Organization Balochistan

Muslim Hands UK

Cordaid

Trócaire

Solidarités International

Farmers Development Organization

Sami Foundation

Relief International

Rural Community Development Society (RCDS)

Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)

Yuganter

Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS)

Rural Development Foundation (RDF)

Oxfam GB

Plan International

EHD

Doctors of the World

Christian Aid

Initiative for Development and Empowerment Axis (IDEA)

Save the Children UK

Caritas Goma

Wajir South Development Association

People in Need (PIN)

Sangtani Women Rural Development Organization (SWRDO)

Medair

Caritas Sri Lanka

Nari Development Organization (NDO)

Health & Nutrition Development Society (HANDS)

Humanity & Inclusion UK (Handicap International)

Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Bishops

Qatar Charity

Environmental Protection Society (EPS)

Muslim Aid

TearFund

Mechanism for Rational Change (MRC)

Society for Mobilization Advocacy and Justice (SMAAJ)

Azat Foundation

National Integrated Development Association (NIDA-Pakistan)

The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)

Dorcas Aid International

LASOONA

MIDEFEHOPS ASBL

Youth Organization

HelpAge International UK

Doaba Foundation

Veer Development Organization

Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)

Agricultural Development Association (PARC)

Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)

World Jewish Relief

Community World Service Asia

Sukaar Foundation Tharparkar

Muzaffarabad Poverty Alleviation Programme

AFPDE asbl (Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène)

Community Development Foundation (CDF)

War Child

Association for Gender Awareness & Human Empowerment (AGAHE)

Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (REPID)

Islamic Relief

Rural Development Organization Buner

Caritas India

Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP)

World Vision

Help Foundation

ActionAid

GOAL

EHSAR Foundation

North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)

PRO-VIDA

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.

Action Against Hunger UK

Care International UK

Cesvi

Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM)

CADENA

Updates

All updates

25th March 2025

An Open Letter from the Members of Start Network to the Global Donor Community: An Opportunity for Transformation

We, the Members of Start Network, are appalled that the poorest of the world have, once again, been dealt a devastating blow – the unwitting victims of power struggles and political interests far from their own making.

17th March 2025

Layered Response in Bangladesh: Cyclone Remal

Blog by Danielle Turner and Marwa Tasnim on Cyclone Remal response in Bangladesh where Start Ready, Start Fund Anticipation, and Start Fund Rapid Response were all activated.

7th March 2025

Start Fund Risk Bulletin: March 2025

The Start Fund monthly Risk Bulletin reports on new, emerging or deteriorating situations; therefore, ongoing events that are considered to be unchanged are not featured and risks that are beyond the scope and scale of the Start Fund are also not featured. 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.

25th February 2025

Start Network at the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) 2025

This year, Start Network will be leading three sessions to convene diverse voices from our membership, donors, and partners to discuss key issues in the humanitarian sector.