The events we have experienced in 2020 may catalyse the types of changes that the world has been demanding for many years. From localisation and decolonisation to action on the global climate emergency, to maximising technology and advocating for accountability. We asked our local and national members and our Hubs what predictions and calls to action they have for the sector for 2021.
In August 2020, Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB) was awarded £30,000 to respond to COVID-19 in Pakistan. In addition to reaching 500 vulnerable families with food and hygiene packages, they also invested in a behaviour messaging campaign that involved displaying banners and distributing posters, leaflets, and stickers amongst the communities and in key public locations.
The official launch of Anticipation Hub took place at the Asia-Pacific Dialogue Platform (Asia DP)for Forecast-based Financing (FbF) from 17-19 November 2020. While the event was held online due to COVID-19, the discussions were nevertheless lively and participation was at an all-time high. More than 50 sessions were held on different topics and "Speed Dating" gave the participants the chance to interact on a one-to-one basis.
Last week I attended the 33rd Annual meeting of ALNAP (Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action). The subject of this years’ meeting was “Facing the Unknown: Managing Uncertainty in Humanitarian Action” and the virtual events were split across two days with options for two different time zones.
Cat Sneath is Head of People and Culture at the Start Network. She made this mid-career move from the programme position of Head of Funds to an organisational one at the end of last year. Here she talks about her role, the work she is doing and what kindness means to her on World Kindness Day.
I am delighted to present to you A Decade of Positive Disruption, a celebration of ten years of Start Network achievements and impacts on its 10-year anniversary.
HELP Foundation became a member of Start Network in June, and was recently awarded funds to respond to the COVID-19 crisis in their local area of Pakistan through the support of Avaaz and a private donor. In addition to awareness raising, HELP Foundation distributed food and hygiene packages to vulnerable families.
To help the Libyan health system fight COVID-19, International Medical Corps began to adjust the Libyan health system to the disease in March, before the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed. Thanks to support from Start Fund COVID-19, they have strengthened the capacity of health facilities in Misrata, Sabha, and Tripoli so that these facilities can better cope and respond to the COVID-19 emergency.
The government struggled to slow the spread of the virus during the first phase of the lockdown and introduced a curfew for older citizens because they are at higher risk. It mandated that people 65 years of age and older should not leave their homes, even to purchase basic groceries. Due to this restriction, older people living alone were met with a difficult situation.
Christina Bennett and Suzanne Lyne, Start Network's CEO and CFOO reflect on Start Network's impact in 2019.
