A new era of humanitarian action

A woman collecting items from the distribution centre — ©2022 Elysé Andriamanantenasoa, Madagascar Cyclone response

A new era of humanitarian action

Start Network is made up of more than 140 humanitarian agencies across six continents, ranging from large international organisations to national NGOs

About Start Network

stylized image showing two people submerged in flood waters — © Arthur Kolbetz, 2024

Start Network at COP30

Climate change is affecting the way we respond to humanitarian crises. Extreme weather events have become more frequent and intense, pushing actors to shift towards innovative and anticipatory approaches to the climate emergency.

At COP30 this year, we call to prioritise Local, Indigenous, and Traditional Knowledge.

Annual Report 2024

This 2024 Annual Report represents the first year of Start Network’s 2024–2026 Strategic Plan: Change Means Action. Building on a decade of experience driving change through local leadership, fast funding, innovation, evidence and learning, this strategy aims to leverage our core strengths as a network, a funder, an innovator and an influencer to put our systems change ambitions into practice, and advance our vision of a faster, fairer, and more locally led humanitarian system.

Alert 783, Mongolia — © Altankhuyag Otgonsuren, 2024

Start Network introduces Solidarity Fund

The Fund is designed to provide rapid, flexible financial support to frontline organisations to help offset the impact of widespread funding gaps and sustain essential humanitarian efforts.

A woman pulls a cart loaded with NFI kits in India. — NEADS, 2022

Strategy 2024-2026

Our focus for these three years reaffirms our commitment to humanitarian system change, modelled through practical action. We will focus on our key strengths and value offer as a networker, funder, innovator and influencer to help transform the sector into a more equitable, ethical and pro-active in protecting communities.

People walk through rubble in the aftermath of landsliding in Peru, to deliver hot meals to affected communities. — © ADRA, 2023

Locally-led action: The missing link in crisis finance

Reflecting on the recent report from the High-Level Panel on Closing the Crisis Protection Gap, our policy experts share key takeaways and way forward.

Our reach

Crisis alerts we respond to around the world.

Psychosocial Support Counselling to flood affected people in Sindhuli district, Nepal

Open Letter from Start Network, ICVA And NEAR to UN Secretary-General: Ensuring Inclusive Reform

NGO networks representing more than 600 organisations call on UN Secretary-General António Guterres to ensure adequate and meaningful participation of civil society in UN80 reform process.

humanitarian workers organise a distribution of goods in Nepal

Humanitarian Action Under Pressure: Start Network Policy Brief

Drawing on ongoing research and the experience of the Start Network, this briefing outlines the impact of funding cuts on crisis-affected communities, examines how humanitarian organisations and the broader system are responding, and explores possible scenarios for the future of aid. It concludes with Start Network’s recommendations for action.

Early and rapid financing

We innovate to find new approaches to funding that are proactive and that reach people at risk quickly.

Locally led action

Start Network’s vision is for a more balanced international aid system that is accountable to people affected by or at risk of crises.

Systems innovation

Start Network is based on innovation: looking for new ways to create the system change that will shape a more effective humanitarian system.

Where we work

Americas

Guatemala

Guatemala Hub

The Guatemala Hub is a space that seeks to guarantee the life, security and justice of people in conditions of vulnerability.
Venezuela

Flooding in South America

Intense rains caused ravines to overflow and water systems to collapse in Venezuela.
Central and South America

Start Fund Response

Start Fund provides rapid response funding to under-the-radar, small to medium-scale crises, filling a critical gap in the humanitarian aid system.

Europe

Ukraine

The need for a more equitable humanitarian response

Start Network's approach to the Ukraine crisis is based on learning from other larger-scale crises that the Start Fund has responded to in the past.
Serbia, Bulgaria

Migration Emergency Response Fund

The objective of the MERF was to rapidly respond to acute and emerging gaps and changes in needs along migration route.
Greece, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia

European Refugee Response

Start Network co-ordinated a two phase response to the European Refugee Crisis through ERR1 and ERR2.

Africa

DRC

DRC Hub

The mission of the DRC Hub is to build a proactive operating system to mitigate the impact of natural, man-made and other disasters,
Somalia

Somali Humanitarian Hub

The Somali Humanitarian Hub (SHH) is a locally led humanitarian system, integrating humanitarian, development, and peace programming within Somalia.
South Sudan

South Sudan Hub

The South Sudan Hub comprises local, national, and international NGOs, advocating for a humanitarian architecture characterised by dependable, flexible, adequate, and needs-based funding.

Asia

Bangladesh, Nepal

National Start Funds

National Start Funds are there to finance locally led humanitarian action, with members managing their own funds for the benefit of their own communities.
India

INDIA HUMANITARIAN HUB

IHH prioritises locally led action and leadership by bringing together local, national, and international humanitarian agencies across India.
The Philippines, Bangladesh

FOREWARN

The Forecast-based, Warning, Analysis, and Response Network aims to quickly bring together the right people to predict disasters and support humanitarians closest to an anticipated crisis.

Oceania

Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati

Pacific Region Hub

The Pacific Humanitarian FALE is working to engage locally led humanitarian actors so that they can provide services that ensure the lives of people are safeguarded in any crisis.
Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati

THE LOCALISATION OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN THE PACIFIC

Josie Flint from HAG speaks about the work they have been doing and the influence that the Start Network has had on this.
Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati

Assembly held in Fiji, FALE-PASIFIKA

The word "fale" refers to a house that is meaningful and has a purpose when people occupy it.

Our members

Bolipara Nari Kalyan Somity (BNKS)

ActionAid UK

Manob Mukti Sangstha (MMS)

Wajir South Development Association

Caritas Sri Lanka

Cesvi

Dorcas Aid International

Muslim Aid

Trócaire

Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS)

Centre for Peace and Democracy

AFPDE asbl (Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène)

Initiative for Development and Empowerment Axis (IDEA)

Caritas India

Shariatpur Development Society (SDS)

Plan International

Caucus of Development NGO Networks, Inc. (CODE-NGO)

Organisation for Social and Economic Development (OSED)

Sangtani Women Rural Development Organization (SWRDO)

Azat Foundation

Gana Unnayan Kendra (GUK)

Welfare Association Jared

EHSAR Foundation

Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (REPID)

Tearfund

Cordaid

GOAL

SKS Foundation

Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM)

HelpAge International

LASOONA

Action Against Hunger UK

World Jewish Relief

Gargaar Relief and Development Organization - GREDO

Mahideb Jubo Somaj Kallayan Somity (MJSKS)

Christian Aid

Community Development Foundation (CDF)

Nazrul Smriti Sangsad-NSS

Social and Economic Enhancement Programme (SEEP)

Humanitarian Aid International

Women for Change (WFC)

Environmental Protection Society (EPS)

Veer Development Organization

Social-life & Agricultural Development Organization (SADO)

Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD)

Concern Worldwide (UK)

Rural Community Development Society (RCDS)

Humanity & Inclusion UK (Handicap International)

AAINA

Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM)

ASHIKA Development Associates

Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP)

Chaitanya Jyothi Welfare Society

Coastal Association for Social Transformation (COAST) Trust

PRO-VIDA

Community World Service Asia

Eco Social Development Organization (ESDO)

Mechanism for Rational Change (MRC)

Islamic Relief

Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)

Doctors of the World

Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS)

Manzil Organization Balochistan

World Vision UK

MIDEFEHOPS

The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)

EHD

Association of Voluntary Actions for Society (AVAS)

Care International UK

Save the Children UK

Youth Organization

VOC RURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (VOCRDC)

Hope Restoration South Sudan (HRSS)

Shushilan

Health & Nutrition Development Society (HANDS)

Help Foundation

SNIRD (Society for National Integration through Rural Development)

Farmers Development Organization

People’s Oriented Programme Implementation (POPI)

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.

Nari Development Organization (NDO)

CADENA

National Development Programme (NDP)

RDRS Bangladesh

People in Need (PIN)

Doaba Foundation

Association for Gender Awareness & Human Empowerment (AGAHE)

JAGO NARI

Rural Development Organization Buner

Gautam Buddha Jagriti Society

Muslim Hands

Acted

Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)

Caritas Bangladesh

Agricultural Development Association (PARC)

Solidarités International

Relief International

Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Bishops

Uttaran

Sukaar Foundation Tharparkar

Oxfam GB

Caritas Goma

Society for Mobilization Advocacy and Justice (SMAAJ)

Taakulo Somali Community (Hub host)

Steward Women

Kottapuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS)

Nabolok Parishad

North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)

Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)

Horn Of Africa Voluntary Youth Committee (HAVOYOCO)

Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)

Yuganter

Dr. Ambedkar Sheti Vikas Va Sanshodhan Sanstha (ASVSS)

Qatar Charity

Sami Foundation

National Network of Local Philanthropy Development

Save Somali Women and Children

AJSA

KAALO Aid & Development

Medair

Cohesion Foundation Trust

Rural Development Foundation (RDF)

War Child

Muzaffarabad Poverty Alleviation Programme

Mother and Children Development Aid (MACDA)

National Integrated Development Association (NIDA-Pakistan)

Updates

All updates

Distributing Hygiene kits to shelters in Beirut

20th March 2026

Live Alerts

Activated

Not allocated

Open Letter from Start Network, ICVA And NEAR to UN Secretary-General: Ensuring Inclusive Reform

Humanitarian Action Under Pressure: Start Network Policy Brief

Americas

Americas

Europe

Europe

Africa

Africa

Asia

Asia

Oceania

Oceania

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