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.

See publications and resources from across the Network

News and blog articles from across the Start Network.

See events and training from across the Network

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

Resource

Start Fund Annual Report 2018

Now moving into its fifth year of operation, the Start Fund is the fastest collectively-owned funding mechanism in the world. It is a leading enabler of rapid, needs-driven humanitarian response for overlooked crises. Filling a critical gap in humanitarian financing, it pools funding from donors for immediate release for crises around the world. In its fourth year alone the Start Fund spent over £8.8 million responding to the unmet needs of 2,050,546 people across 44 crises in 31 countries. Find out more about the work of the Start Fund, including our performance, how we are meeting our commitments to the Grand Bargain, our Anticipation Window, and why we hold localisation at the heart of our work.

23May18

News Article

An interview with The Guardian

In line with the Grand Bargain commitments, which came out of the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016, the Disasters & Emergencies Preparedness Programme (DEPP) has strengthened preparedness, created and supported collaborative networks, and facilitated locally led humanitarian responses to crises.

22May18

News Article

Start Fund marks release of 4th annual report

The Start Fund, which provides rapid humanitarian aid for overlooked crises, is marking the second anniversary of the World Humanitarian Summit by sharing the impact of its 4th year, through its new annual report released today.

22May18

Case study

World Humanitarian Summit’s 2nd Anniversary

In eastern Myanmar, local communities in the mountains of Southern Shan State, are using inventive approaches and early warning systems to prepare for and protect each other against the effects of extreme weather events, which are predicted to increase in the coming years.

22May18

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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