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Start Network has been looking into digital capacity, and blockchain solutions as part of its potential to solve structural problems within the humanitarian sector. Currently the system is overly centralised, funding is often slow and reactive, and the capacity to change is limited due to risk averse operating models. Start Network is embracing new ways of working that are locally driven, proactive and innovative. More recently the Network recently completed a series of pilots with Fintech startup Disberse and looked at using a blockchain based platform to make aid flows fully traceable, non-corruptible, fast and cost-effective. Read more about the learning from the first pilot, that was driven by Start Network member Dorcas.     

This useful guide has everything Start Network members need to know when raising an alert for the new phase of the Migration Emergency Response Fund (MERF). The new phase of the MERF is focused entirely on Africa and members of the Start Network can now respond to acute needs along the migration route. The fund is filling critical gaps in migration response within the continent, with funding on its way to members as quickly as 72 hours of an alert first being raised.

Launch of phase two of the Migration Emergency Response is allowing aid agencies to respond to acute needs of migrants who are travelling across the migration route in Africa.

It would be a huge understatement to say that migration response is complex. On the launch of the new Migration Emergency Response Fund (MERF) phase, Melina Koutsis, MERF Regional Coordinator, looks ahead to the future of the migration crisis.

What is the actual level of preparedness for future volcanic eruptions? An Analysis for Action assessment was carried out on the communities surrounding the Nyiragongo volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The monthly risk briefing provides information on global weather, volcanic, human and health events where members may consider using the Start Fund’s Crisis Anticipation Window. It reports on new, emerging or deteriorating situations; therefore, ongoing events that are considered to be unchanged are not featured and risks that are beyond the scope and scale of the Start Fund are also not featured. This monthly risk briefing is collated by the Start Network Anticipation team using information from academia and research institutes, government departments, ACAPS, global risk indexes, risk information provided by Start Members and their partners, and the media. Key risks are shared and collated each month with FOREWARN input.

Start Network's Leonie Le Borgne reflects on a workshop she attended with the Inter-agency Regional Analysts Network (IARAN) and discussed how each of us, in our separate organisations can bring change to the humanitarian sector, for the better.

The proverb sure does ring a bell for the Maarifa Kona Innovation Lab team in Kenya as each month provides new insights and it also shapes our outlook on this innovation path shuttled by the DEPP Labs programme.

Start Network is delighted to release details of new features added to its innovative Start Fund portal.

Start Network's innovation lab in Kenya, part of the four national Disaster and Emergencies Preparedness Innovation Labs (DEPP Labs) programme, reflects on progress made so far.