In May 2021, one of Start Network’s local members, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) responded to the Nyiragongo volcanic eruption which saw 450,000 people displaced and evacuated.
With support from the Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN), the Center for Disaster Preparedness will work with top community innovators in the Philippines to strengthen the disaster risk reduction (DRR) innovation system in the country through the Pinnovation Academy.
In 2020, 12 non-governmental organisations from Pakistan, India, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo joined Start Network. To reflect on the value of a locally led network and the challenges of building one we hear from the new members experience and stories from their engagement with Start Network. These are synthesised into three main themes – operational practices, visibility and credibility. The report demonstrates that new members perceive significant value in joining Start Network, from improvements in policies to increased credibility and visibility. Although new members perceive value in Start Network membership, new members have made recommendations for how to further increase that value. Start Network should ensure that new members are continually supported to improve and strengthen their organisational systems, such as SOPs, policies, and practises. Improvements in credibility could be further made by providing a formal recognition of Start Network membership and giving more visibility to new members as well as providing training on digital presence.
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.
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.
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
Aunque la sequía se puede predecir con meses de anticipación, la asistencia humanitaria a menudo se retrasa porque se necesita tiempo para recaudar fondos después de que ocurre la crisis.
Bien qu'il soit possible de prévoir une sécheresse plusieurs mois à l'avance, l'aide humanitaire est souvent retardée, car une fois la crise survenue, il faut du temps pour collecter des fonds.
Although drought can be predicted months in advance, humanitarian assistance is often delayed – because it takes time to raise funds after the crisis has happened.
The DEPP Innovation Labs programme was a two and a half year initiative from 2016-2019 that supported the creation of four community-centred innovation labs in disaster-affected countries (Bangladesh, Jordan, Kenya and the Philippines) to strengthen disaster preparedness and response.
