We innovate to find new approaches to funding that are proactive and that reach people at risk quickly.
Start Network introduces Solidarity Fund
The Fund is designed to provide rapid, flexible financial support to frontline organisations to help offset the impact of widespread funding gaps and sustain essential humanitarian efforts.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
Read more
Case Study: Anticipation of Tropical Cyclone (Cyclone Biparjoy) in India – Alert 722
With a predicted landfall on the 16th of June, Start Network member SEEDS raised an anticipation alert for Cyclone Biparjoy and commenced anticipatory action. SEEDS used their innovative disaster modelling tool to predict that 900,000 people were at risk, with most coastal homes vulnerable to severe damage.
This case study explores how our member organization responded to the crisis.
Areas 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 Guatemala Hub is a space that seeks to guarantee the life, security and justice of people in conditions of vulnerability.
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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 mission of the DRC Hub is to build a proactive operating system to mitigate the impact of natural, man-made and other disasters,
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Somalia
Somali Humanitarian Hub
The Somali Humanitarian Hub (SHH) is a locally led humanitarian system, integrating humanitarian, development, and peace programming within Somalia.
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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
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
IHH prioritises locally led action and leadership by bringing together local, national, and international humanitarian agencies across 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
Humanitarian Aid International
World Jewish Relief
Initiative for Development and Empowerment Axis (IDEA)
Yuganter
Caritas Bangladesh
EHD
AFPDE asbl (Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène)
Plan International
Welfare Association Jared
Sami Foundation
Veer Development Organization
Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)
Caritas Goma
LASOONA
SNIRD (Society for National Integration through Rural Development)
North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)
Environmental Protection Society (EPS)
Wajir South Development Association
Agricultural Development Association (PARC)
Association for Gender Awareness & Human Empowerment (AGAHE)
Cordaid
Society for Mobilization Advocacy and Justice (SMAAJ)
Gautam Buddha Jagriti Society
Oxfam GB
Humanity & Inclusion UK (Handicap International)
Cesvi
Muslim Aid
Community World Service Asia
Care International UK
MIDEFEHOPS ASBL
Action Against Hunger UK
Kottapuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS)
TearFund
Qatar Charity
Save the Children UK
Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)
Rural Development Foundation (RDF)
EHSAR Foundation
AJSA India
Dr. Ambedkar Sheti Vikas Va Sanshodhan Sanstha (ASVSS)
People in Need (PIN)
Chaitanya Jyothi Welfare Society
Muzaffarabad Poverty Alleviation Programme
Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (REPID)
VOC RURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (VOCRDC)
Trócaire
Nari Development Organization (NDO)
Caritas India
Concern Worldwide (UK)
AAINA
ActionAid
GOAL
Solidarités International
Manzil Organization Balochistan
Farmers Development Organization
Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS)
Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP)
Azat Foundation
Youth Organization
Community Development Foundation (CDF)
Dorcas Aid International
Christian Aid
HelpAge International UK
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.
Relief International
Health & Nutrition Development Society (HANDS)
CADENA
World Vision
Sangtani Women Rural Development Organization (SWRDO)
Islamic Relief
Medair
The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)
Doctors of the World
Sukaar Foundation Tharparkar
PRO-VIDA
Cohesion Foundation Trust
Rural Community Development Society (RCDS)
War Child
Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD)
ACTED
Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Bishops
Help Foundation
Mechanism for Rational Change (MRC)
Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM)
Caritas Sri Lanka
Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)
Rural Development Organization Buner
Age International
Doaba Foundation
Muslim Hands UK
National Integrated Development Association (NIDA-Pakistan)
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
Updates
All updates
Case Study: Cyclone Remal, Bangladesh
The document discusses the response to Cyclone Remal in Bangladesh, highlighting anticipatory actions and layered funding mechanisms for disaster management.
Anticipation of Dzud (‘Coldwave’) in Mongolia – Alert 783
Early actions by World Vision provided assistance at a critical time before the peak of the Dzud in 2023.
Start Fund Risk Bulletin: May 2025
The Start Fund monthly Risk Bulletin reports on new, emerging or deteriorating situations.
Start Ready Reaches New Milestone with Fourth Risk Pool
Start Ready was launched in 2022 - creating the first of its kind NGO-managed risk pool.
Start Network introduces Solidarity Fund for organisations in response to global aid cuts
Start Network is launching the Solidarity Fund, an initiative to help offset the impact of widespread funding gaps and protect essential humanitarian efforts.
Solidarity Fund Application Note
Start Network is launching the Solidarity Fund, supported by the IKEA Foundation, to help humanitarian organisations continue their operations despite widespread funding reductions.
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