We innovate to find new approaches to funding that are proactive and that reach people at risk quickly.
Start Network at COP27
Start Network continues to advocate that the climate crisis is a humanitarian crisis! We believe locally led anticipatory action is one of the ways forward to tackle the climate crisis.
Potential for Anticipatory Action and Disaster Risk Financing
Our report with ODI builds on research and evidence on the predictability of crises, to provide a clearer framework for targets on anticipatory action and disaster risk financing.
A new era of humanitarian action
Start Network is made up of more than 50 humanitarian agencies across five continents, ranging from large international organisations to national NGOs
Our reach
Crisis alerts we respond to around the world.
LOCALLY LED ACTION SUBVERTS TRADITIONAL AID MYTHS
As the world contends with the destruction that Pakistan’s monsoon floods have left in their wake, as well as the cascading impact of an emerging health crisis, some truths regarding the role of local organisations within the sector begin to become more visible, debunking myths long held by the traditional aid sector.
Read more
SENEGAL TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AHEAD OF DROUGHT PREDICTIONS
Communities in Senegal will receive around £330,000 ($400,500) from Start Network and its local partner.
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
North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)
Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)
Trócaire
Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Bishops
HelpAge International UK
Plan International
ACTED
Age International
ActionAid
Mercy Corps
Tearfund
Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)
Action Against Hunger UK
Pacific Islands Association of Non Governmental Organisations (PIANGO)
Doctors of the World
BRAC International
Save the Children UK
PRO-VIDA
Qatar Charity
Dorcas Aid International
Initiative for Development and Empowerment Axis (IDEA)
Caritas Bangladesh
Oxfam
Humanity & Inclusion (Handicap International)
Medair
PARC
Islamic Relief
The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)
Help Foundation
Community World Service Asia
Caritas India
World Vision
Health & Nutrition Development Society (HANDS)
World Jewish Relief
Cordaid
GOAL
Caritas Goma
Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM)
CARE International UK
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
MIDEFEHOPS Asbl
AFPDE asbl (Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène)
People in Need (PIN)
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.
Relief International
CADENA
Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)
Caritas Sri Lanka
Muslim Aid
Association for Gender Awareness & Human Empowerment (AGAHE)
Solidarités International
Yuganter
War Child
Concern Worldwide (UK)
Updates
All updates
FINDINGS FROM THE GLOBAL START FUND 2021-2022 EVALUATION
Towards the end of 2021, we commissioned an external review of the Start Fund. This review's purpose was to assess the extent to which the global Start Fund is ready to develop into a more locally led model while maintaining its mandate to respond rapidly to the gaps and unmet needs of people in or at-risk of crises.
MONTHLY RISK BULLETIN ISSUED: DECEMBER 2022
The Start Fund monthly risk brief reports on new, emerging, or deteriorating humanitarian emergencies which are classified as under the radar
Start Fund Impact Report
Over the last decade, the humanitarian sector has been heavily impacted by more frequent and severe climate-related crises. We need a more proactive, faster and locally led humanitarian system where communities are supported to analyse risks, create plans and have access to pre-arranged financing to prevent loss of life and livelihoods.
Malcolm Spence joins Start Network Board
Start Network is pleased to welcome Malcolm Spence as its new independent trustee.
Locally Led Action Subverts Traditional Aid Myths
As the world contends with the destruction that Pakistan’s monsoon floods have left in their wake, as well as the cascading impact of an emerging health crisis, some truths regarding the role of local organisations within the sector begin to become more visible, debunking myths long held by the traditional aid sector.
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