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An end of year message from Christina Bennett, CEO of Start Network.

At the Start Network we are constantly working towards changing the approaches to humanitarian assistance to proactively manage crises more effectively.  These include initiatives such as anticipation and forecast-based action which promotes early intervention before a crisis actually hits; and innovative insurance pilots that can release funding at scale to fund pre-agreed plans.

Since 2017 the Start Fund reporting systems have included a section on the leveraging of additional funds. In 2018 the total amount secured in additional funding was reported to be £64 million, more than five times the amount that was awarded by the Start Fund in the first place.

On International Migrants Day 2019, the number of people who are migrants and refugees across the globe has reached an estimated 272 million, 51 million more than in 2010, according to the UN. Under this year’s theme of #WeTogether, Start Network takes stock of its work in 2019 to understand, anticipate, and address migration needs and patterns, using a collaborative and speedy approach in its work.

Myanmar's annual rainy season brought devastating floods to villages in Hpa-An and Bago this year. People were stranded in their homes or forced to flee them. Schools were closed. Harvests were wiped out. Livestock killed.

Read how a consortium of Start Network members completed the first anticipation activation in the Philippines helping communities to 'Andam Lahar' or 'Prepare for Lahar.'

Continual heavy rains in Freetown, Sierra Leone, triggered flooding in the country's capital damaging homes, washing away livestock and destroying livelihoods. The Start Fund was alerted to the crisis in early August and awarded rapid responding funding to Action Aid, Care International, Catholic Relief Services and Oxfam to help meet the needs of those affected.

You may have noticed some visual changes in the Start Network’s communications channels and that's because we've been working to review our brand and make it more engaging and accessible.

In an official ceremony in Darkar, Senegal today the Start Network was issued with a symbolic cheque of 10M USD in the largest every early humanitarian action pay out.

October saw the Start Fund respond on a global level to seven alerts, awarding just under £1.5million to rapid responses to fires, flooding, earthquakes, and displacement alerts Read more.