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A new era of humanitarian action

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Start Fund Bangladesh COVID-19 response 2020, Jago Nari

Featured news

Blog Post

Acting in anticipation of a volcanic hazard in the Philippines

11Nov19

News Article

AN IMPACT BEFORE INSTRUMENTS APPROACH

11Nov19

Publication

6. MATRIX OF INSTRUMENTS AND FUNDS

A new series of technical discussion papers by the Start Network, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies explores how evolving disaster risk financing (DRF) approaches could be a game changer in acting earlier, quicker and more effectively to predictable humanitarian crises.   The papers are attempting to redefine how DRF meets humanitarian objectives. Building on the practical experience of the Start Network and IFRC the papers call for a move from the traditional DRF sovereign approach to a more human-impact driven approach to risk financing, identifying the financial and operational needs from the ground up; an ‘impact before instruments approach.’   Each paper explores the need for such a renewed approach whilst identifying some of the technical challenges and posing solutions to make disaster risk financing work most effectively in the humanitarian context.  The aim is to ignite dialogue and build collaboration around key technical challenges whilst highlighting some key solutions to unlock the potential of DRF for humanitarian action.

11Nov19

Publication

5. PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES

A new series of technical discussion papers by the Start Network, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies explores how evolving disaster risk financing (DRF) approaches could be a game changer in acting earlier, quicker and more effectively to predictable humanitarian crises.   The papers are attempting to redefine how DRF meets humanitarian objectives. Building on the practical experience of the Start Network and IFRC the papers call for a move from the traditional DRF sovereign approach to a more human-impact driven approach to risk financing, identifying the financial and operational needs from the ground up; an ‘impact before instruments approach.’   Each paper explores the need for such a renewed approach whilst identifying some of the technical challenges and posing solutions to make disaster risk financing work most effectively in the humanitarian context.  The aim is to ignite dialogue and build collaboration around key technical challenges whilst highlighting some key solutions to unlock the potential of DRF for humanitarian action.

11Nov19

About us

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. Together, our aim is to transform humanitarian action through innovation, fast funding, early action, and localisation.
We're tackling what we believe are the biggest systemic problems that the sector faces - problems including slow and reactive funding, centralised decision-making, and an aversion to change, means that people affected by crises around the world, do not receive the best help fast enough, and needless suffering results.
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Locally-led action

We believe that a more balanced international aid system, which shifts power to those closest to the front-line, will generate more effective and appropriate responses for people affected by crises.

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New froms of financing

New forms of financing

Our pooled funds enable fast and early action to tackle the kind of crises that are often overlooked by other funding mechanisms. Our risk financing pilots are introducing new ways of working that can save even more lives.

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Collective innovation

New ways of working are needed to tackle the challenges we face. By innovating collectively we can share expertise, insights and perspectives to shape a more effective humanitarian system.

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An international network

Today the Start Network extends to more than 50 members and their 7000 partner organisations, employing more than a quarter of a million people across 200 countries and territories.
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Latest news

News Article

New funding for Start Fund Bangladesh to continue its lifesaving work

After a successful four years, Start Fund Bangladesh has received an additional £1.23 million from the UK's FCDO to continue its lifesaving work across the country.

22Sep21

Blog Post

High-level Humanitarian Event on Anticipatory Action: Statement by Christina Bennett

The United Nations and the Governments of Germany and the United Kingdom convened a high-level event to advance anticipatory action and galvanise a collective push to act ahead of crises. Start Network CEO Christina Bennett made the following statement at the event.

14Sep21

Blog Post

Reflections on the High-level Humanitarian Event on Anticipatory Action

A High-level Humanitarian Event on Anticipatory Action, convened by OCHA and the Governments of Germany and the UK, took place on 9 September 2021. This brought together leaders from across governments, international financial institutions, the United Nations (UN) and civil society, who delivered powerful statements on their commitments to act to ahead of crises. Here, Sarah Klassen, Ben Webster, Jânio Dambo, and LA Dimailig offer their personal reflections on what this event achieved – and what should happen next.

14Sep21

Blog Post

With opportunity comes responsibility

The Disaster Risk Financing (DRF) systems being piloted by Start Network offer the opportunity for improved accountability to populations at risk because of their pre-arranged nature. A recent piece of research has explored what this means in practice, using experience from Start Networks DRF work in Senegal, Pakistan, Kenya and Madagascar. This is being shared with our members and the wider humanitarian community through a learning paper which delves into the opportunities and challenges this presents, (insert link) and a short guide with some practical tips for ensuring accountability in DRF systems (insert link).https://startnetwork.org/anticipation-and-risk-financing

13Sep21

Latest resources

Resource

Dealing with Paradox

A case study about the first three years of the Start Network, formally the Consortium of British Humanitarian Agencies.

12Apr16

Resource

Realities Behind the Rhetoric

Ros Tennyson outlines a new case study which puts the day-to-day reality of the operational side of Start Network under a microscope.

12Apr16

Resource

Start Network Business Plan 2016

The Start Network has published its 2016 Business Plan which will enable the governance, membership and external stakeholders of the Start Network to understand, endorse, support and participate in the activities of the Network.

17Feb16

Resource

Drought insurance for early response

This report outlines the design of a new funding mechanism that will ensure more timely humanitarian response to emerging drought-induced food and livelihood crises. The design of this mechanism was carried out through joint partnership between the Start Network and GlobalAgRisk, with support from the Humanitarian Innovation Fund.

25May15

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The Network

Start Network members