We innovate to find new approaches to funding that are proactive and that reach people at risk quickly.
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.
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.
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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.
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 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
The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)
Concern Worldwide (UK)
Community World Service Asia
AFPDE asbl (Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène)
GOAL
Muslim Hands UK
LASOONA
Age International
Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM)
Trócaire
Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)
Initiative for Development and Empowerment Axis (IDEA)
Caritas India
TearFund
CADENA
Save the Children UK
Plan International
Caritas Bangladesh
Muzaffarabad Poverty Alleviation Programme
Farmers Development Organization
Dorcas Aid International
Azat Foundation
Rural Community Development Society (RCDS)
Association for Gender Awareness & Human Empowerment (AGAHE)
Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP)
EHD
People in Need (PIN)
Humanity & Inclusion UK (Handicap International)
EHSAR Foundation
Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Bishops
Rural Development Organization Buner
Christian Aid
World Jewish Relief
Community Development Foundation (CDF)
Caritas Sri Lanka
World Vision
Agricultural Development Association (PARC)
Caritas Goma
Medair
Health & Nutrition Development Society (HANDS)
Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS)
Welfare Association Jared
Islamic Relief
ACTED
War Child
Doctors of the World
Society for Mobilization Advocacy and Justice (SMAAJ)
HelpAge International UK
Muslim Aid
Manzil Organization Balochistan
Nari Development Organization (NDO)
MIDEFEHOPS ASBL
Cesvi
Rural Development Foundation (RDF)
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.
Sangtani Women Rural Development Organization (SWRDO)
Mechanism for Rational Change (MRC)
Solidarités International
Sami Foundation
Yuganter
Doaba Foundation
Youth Organization
Environmental Protection Society (EPS)
Qatar Charity
National Integrated Development Association (NIDA-Pakistan)
Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)
Cordaid
Sukaar Foundation Tharparkar
PRO-VIDA
Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)
ActionAid
North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)
Care International UK
Wajir South Development Association
Relief International
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (REPID)
Help Foundation
Veer Development Organization
Action Against Hunger UK
Oxfam GB
Updates
All updates
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.
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.
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.
Cyclone Remal: Examining Risk Layering and Cost Effectiveness through Start Ready, Start Fund Anticipation, and Start Fund Response
This study highlights the effectiveness of early interventions over reactive disaster relief.
Start Ready Risk Pool 3 Structuring Report
This report summarizes the structure of Start Ready Risk Pool 3, running from May 2024 to April 2025.
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 Lorna Wightman and Myriam Castaneda Solares share key takeaways and the way forward.
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