The future of Humanitarian Surge

In 2015 the Start Network launched a three-year Transforming Surge Capacity (TSC) project financed with UK aid from the UK government as part of the Department for International Development’s (DFID) Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Programme (DEPP). The project has seen engagement by eleven UK-based aid agencies with a collective focus on finding ways to ensure effective civil society surge capacity in order to deliver more efficient, collaborative and localised emergency responses.

Since 2015, crises have continued with many conflict-affected countries also hosting refugees and experiencing disasters associated with natural hazards. Asia remains the most disaster-prone region in the world. Facing these challenges, there has been a new momentum for change with the commitments made in the Grand Bargain which put localisation at the forefront of addressing humanitarian crises.

In response, this pilot project has brought together agencies to undertake concrete collaborative activities on surge which has transformed how those involved – both at individual and organisational levels – think about and act regarding surge. With a geographic focus on Asia, the agencies involved in the project – ActionAid (project lead), Action Against Hunger, CAFOD, CARE, Christian Aid, International Medical Corps, Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid, Plan International, Save the Children and Tearfund – have each taken the lead on and contributed to specific areas in which they have specialised skills and knowledge.