We innovate to find new approaches to funding that are proactive and that reach people at risk quickly.
Our reach
Crisis alerts we respond to around the world.

Humanitarian Action Under Pressure: Start Network Policy Brief
Drawing on ongoing research and the experience of the Start Network, this briefing outlines the impact of funding cuts on crisis-affected communities, examines how humanitarian organisations and the broader system are responding, and explores possible scenarios for the future of aid. It concludes with Start Network’s recommendations for action.
Read more
Community-led Innovation Toolkit
This toolkit is a practical guide for organisations seeking to design and deliver community-led innovation programmes. It walks users through five key phases of the innovation journey, from programme setup through to sustainability, and includes 26 tools that support everything from community engagement and risk mapping to idea development, prototyping, and scaling.
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

Community World Service Asia

Wajir South Development Association

HelpAge International UK

AFPDE asbl (Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène)

ACTED

LASOONA

Dorcas Aid International

EHD

World Jewish Relief

Azat Foundation

Cordaid

PRO-VIDA

Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (REPID)

Mechanism for Rational Change (MRC)

Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD)

Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM)

Humanitarian Aid International

Kottapuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS)

Association for Gender Awareness & Human Empowerment (AGAHE)

Cohesion Foundation Trust

Dr. Ambedkar Sheti Vikas Va Sanshodhan Sanstha (ASVSS)

Health & Nutrition Development Society (HANDS)

Youth Organization

VOC RURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (VOCRDC)

Christian Aid

Relief International

Care International UK

Welfare Association Jared

Caritas Bangladesh

Caritas Goma

Cesvi

Community Development Foundation (CDF)

Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)

Sangtani Women Rural Development Organization (SWRDO)

TearFund

ActionAid

Manzil Organization Balochistan

Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)

Qatar Charity

Environmental Protection Society (EPS)

Plan International

Muslim Aid

Rural Development Organization Buner

Solidarités International

Initiative for Development and Empowerment Axis (IDEA)

Concern Worldwide (UK)

Muzaffarabad Poverty Alleviation Programme

War Child

People in Need (PIN)

Sami Foundation

Chaitanya Jyothi Welfare Society

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.

Veer Development Organization

Help Foundation

Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)

Muslim Hands UK

Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Bishops

Yuganter

National Integrated Development Association (NIDA-Pakistan)

North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)

GOAL

Rural Development Foundation (RDF)

AAINA

Farmers Development Organization

Agricultural Development Association (PARC)

Rural Community Development Society (RCDS)

World Vision

Humanity & Inclusion UK (Handicap International)

Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)

Nari Development Organization (NDO)

Gautam Buddha Jagriti Society

Save the Children UK

Action Against Hunger UK

Sukaar Foundation Tharparkar

Doctors of the World

CADENA

Society for Mobilization Advocacy and Justice (SMAAJ)

The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)

MEDAIR

AJSA India

Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP)

EHSAR Foundation

Caritas Sri Lanka

MIDEFEHOPS ASBL

Trócaire

Caritas India

SNIRD (Society for National Integration through Rural Development)

Doaba Foundation

Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS)

Age International

Oxfam GB

Islamic Relief
Updates
All updates
Locally Driven Humanitarian Action in Bangladesh
Read Locally Driven Humanitarian Action in Bangladesh — an overview of Start Network Bangladesh’s mission, programmes, system-changing footprint, and impact.

Humanitarian Action Under Pressure: Start Network Policy Brief
Drawing on ongoing research and the experience of the Start Network, this briefing outlines the impact of funding cuts on crisis-affected communities, examines how humanitarian organisations and the broader system are responding, and explores possible scenarios for the future of aid.

Start Network’s response to the ERC statement on the Humanitarian Reset process
Start Network’s response to the ERC statement on the Humanitarian Reset process.

Start Ready: The Philippines Activations
Start Ready’s Disaster Risk Financing (DRF) system predicted Tropical Storm Trami's phases to inform anticipatory action

Anticipation of Disease Outbreak (Ebola) in Northern and Karamoja Regions of Uganda - Alert 661
An outbreak of Ebola was declared by the Ugandan Ministry of Health on the 20 of September 2022, with 51 recorded deaths in the central part of the country.

Start Fund Risk Bulletin: June 2025
The Start Fund monthly Risk Bulletin reports on new, emerging or deteriorating situations.