Delivered faster emergency funding
The effectiveness of an emergency response invariably relies on the speed at which it’s delivered. But the laboured reactivity of big organisations meant valuable time was lost and people in need were slow to be reached. It became clear that faster funding was critical.
Streamlined and fast decision-making processes developed for the Start Fund have ensured that all emergency responses are supported with fast funding. Furthermore, experience working with the faster timelines of the Start Fund has encouraged our members to release their own internal funding faster.
Start Network now leads the sector as the world’s fastest collectively owned early-response mechanism.
WHAT WE KNOW
On average, 75% of alerts are processed within 72 hours year on year. The lowest it has ever been is 69% and the highest 83%.
CASE STUDY: First to respond to the Marawi Conflict in 2017
In May 2017, violent conflict erupted in Marawi, a city on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Over 70,000 families were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in adjacent towns, while roadblocks and checkpoints trapped civilians who did not evacuate in time. Evacuation centres were opened, and evacuees also sought refuge with relatives and friends further afield. In all, more than 100,000 people urgently needed assistance.
Just one week later, 11 Start Network members raised an alert to the Start Fund, requesting £250,000 to help address the rapidly developing crisis. After the request received unanimous support from across the network, Action Against Hunger, ACTED, Catholic Relief Services, Oxfam, and their local partners were selected to respond, reaching 35,677 people with urgent aid.
The Start Fund was the first to respond to the Marawi Conflict crisis, ahead of 20 other organisations.
WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT START NETWORK
Improved value for money through fast action
Speed is the most critical aspect of any emergency response and the Start Fund is one of the fastest funding mechanisms. You could come later with £1 million, but it would not have such a big impact as a smaller amount provided straight after the crisis. — Soane Patolo (MORDI, Tonga)
Supported fast, local action
Uttaran, with the help of Start Fund Bangladesh, responded in Assasuni Upazila during Cyclone Bulbul, Cyclone Amphan and COVID-19. They were the fastest agency to do so and later on others followed. Uttaran has a dedicated team who coordinated with the administration to ensure that the most affected people receive emergency support. — Mir Alif Reza (Satkhira Local Government Office, Bangladesh)
Streamlined paperwork
Le Start Network offre la possibilité d’aider les migrants en mobilisant rapidement des fonds alors que d’autres organisations sont beaucoup plus lentes avec tant de paperasserie que cela peut prendre des mois, voire un an. — Tarik Oufkir (Association Maroc Solidarité Médico-Sociale, Morocco)
Start Fund is the fastest responding organisation
The Start Fund is the fastest responding organisation to a crisis situation, faster than any other agency I have experienced. — Bereket Tassew (Wolaita Kale Hewot Church Terepeza Development Association, Ethiopia)
Optimal for those who need a quick response
The Start Fund is optimal for anyone who needs a quick response. There are other funding sources such as UN, ECHO or DFID, but the funding will take a month or longer. — Member organisation in Somalia (Start Network 2020 Stakeholder Survey)
Raised the bar on fast funding
Start Network is becoming a reference point within the humanitarian sector…demonstrating how quickly people can be served. — Francis Atul Sarker (Caritas Bangladesh, Bangladesh)
Improving rapid response capacity
Our rapid response capacity has been improved at country level after having regular interactions with Start Network and Start Fund. — Normann Steinmaier (Welthungerhilfe, Germany)
Dan Collison was the Head of the Start Fund Committee for three years between 2015 and 2018. Read about his learning journey with Start Network and the importance of putting trust in fast decision-making.
