THE NETWORK <br/>FOR CHANGE

Read about why we exist and values and reach. Or click above to read about our governance structure and current vacancies.

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Network directory

See which organisations are in the Network and which are our donors and partners. Or click above to find out about becoming a member.

Our aim is to deliver effective aid, harnessing the power and knowledge of the network to make faster and better decisions to help people affected by crises. We are developing more effective ways to work together, and new approaches that will reduce the scale of human suffering.

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News and blog articles from across the Start Network.

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About us

Leading for change in humanitarian aid

Start Network is made up of 42 aid agencies across five continents, ranging from large international organisations to national NGOs. Together, our aim is to deliver more effective emergency aid, harnessing the power and knowledge of the network to help people affected by crises. We advocate for radical change in the system so that the world can deal better with the humanitarian challenges of today, and of the future.
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Latest

Blog Post

World Refugee Day

Every year on the 20th of June, World Refugee Day is used to recognise and commemorate the strength, courage and perseverance of refugees. It is important to recognise the difficulties that refugees face, and work towards a world where all refugees receive an education, have somewhere safe to live alongside accessibility to work so they can support their families. However, the term refugee is used to categorise people on the move and with that comes a distinct definition of the term ‘migrant’.

20Jun18

Resource

Women's Leadership in Disaster Preparedness

This research is an output of the Learning Project of the Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Programme (DEPP). The DEPP was a 4-year programme funded by the Department of International Development and co-led by the Start and CDAC Networks. It was comprised of 14 projects implemented in 10 countries, each led by a consortium of international and local humanitarian agencies, and aimed to improve the quality and speed of response in countries at risk of natural disasters or conflict related emergencies. The programme included initiatives to address gender in emergencies and capacity building for women as humanitarians. This report aims to build on existing literature by examining women’s leadership and influence within humanitarian preparedness in DEPP and other similar programmes. More information can be found on the DEPP learning platform.

17Jun18

Resource

Disasters & Emergency Preparedness: A Practical Resource Guide

This new guide brings together knowledge and resources from across the Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Programme (DEPP) to provide agencies with practical resources on how to deliver preparedness effectively in ten areas.

08Jun18

Blog Post

Getting ahead of deadly heat

In May this year, members in Pakistan raised a Start Fund alert for a heatwave, the alert was activated. Members had collectively analysed weather forecasts and had raised the alert before temperatures reached deadly levels. Start Network's Sarah Klassen discusses the challenges of forecasting heatwaves, and why a similar alert in 2017 was not activated.

05Jun18

Our vision

The future of humanitarian action

Start Network is working to create a system in which; responses to crises will be defined by those closest to them and based on humanitarian need; early and predictable funding will reduce the impact of crises and the cost of responses; a diverse group of organisations work together to adapt to the needs of people affected by crises. We believe this is only possible through a collective effort to change the system.
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Our areas of work

Start Fund

The world’s first pooled rapid response fund managed solely by NGOs.
- underfunded emergencies
- early response
- fast response

Start Engage

Wide-ranging practical experiments in enabling local communities to prepare for disasters.
- 14 projects in 10 countries
- 44 organisations involved
- Total disbursed: £30m over three years

Start Labs

Testing innovative solutions to humanitarian financing and decision making.
- 2 insurance products being tested and taken to scale
- A pilot blockchain platform for the Start Fund

Start Response

Taking collaboration in design and delivery to a new level.
- 23 countries
- More than 7 million people reached
- £33.7m Portfolio

An international network

Today the Start Network extends to 42 members and their 7000 partner organisations, employing more than a quarter million people across 200 countries and territories.
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