We innovate to find new approaches to funding that are proactive and that reach people at risk quickly.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read more
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.
Read moreAreas of work
Start Network’s vision is for a more balanced international aid system that is accountable to people affected by or at risk of crises.
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
Americas
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Guatemala
Guatemala Hub
The Guatemala Hub is a space that seeks to guarantee the life, security and justice of people in conditions of vulnerability.
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Venezuela
Flooding in South America
Intense rains caused ravines to overflow and water systems to collapse in Venezuela.
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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
Europe
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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.
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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.
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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
Africa
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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,
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Somalia
Somali Humanitarian Hub
The Somali Humanitarian Hub (SHH) is a locally led humanitarian system, integrating humanitarian, development, and peace programming within Somalia.
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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
Asia
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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.
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India
INDIA HUMANITARIAN HUB
IHH prioritises locally led action and leadership by bringing together local, national, and international humanitarian agencies across India.
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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
Oceania
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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.
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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.
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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
Health & Nutrition Development Society (HANDS)
Caucus of Development NGO Networks, Inc. (CODE-NGO)
Christian Aid
Mother and Children Development Aid (MACDA)
Social and Economic Enhancement Programme (SEEP)
SKS Foundation
Bolipara Nari Kalyan Somity (BNKS)
Kottapuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS)
War Child
Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Bishops
Nazrul Smriti Sangsad-NSS
Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)
HelpAge International
Oxfam GB
Wajir South Development Association
Medair
Hope Restoration South Sudan (HRSS)
Cordaid
Gana Unnayan Kendra (GUK)
Association for Gender Awareness & Human Empowerment (AGAHE)
Mahideb Jubo Somaj Kallayan Somity (MJSKS)
World Vision
Plan International
Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)
Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)
National Network of Local Philanthropy Development
GOAL
Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP)
Shushilan
National Integrated Development Association (NIDA-Pakistan)
Women for Change (WFC)
ASHIKA Development Associates
Concern Worldwide (UK)
JAGO NARI
ActionAid UK
Muzaffarabad Poverty Alleviation Programme
SNIRD (Society for National Integration through Rural Development)
Nari Development Organization (NDO)
Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD)
Muslim Aid
Environmental Protection Society (EPS)
Help Foundation
North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)
Centre for Peace and Democracy
AFPDE asbl (Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène)
Organisation for Social and Economic Development (OSED)
Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM)
Manob Mukti Sangstha (MMS)
AJSA
Society for Mobilization Advocacy and Justice (SMAAJ)
VOC RURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (VOCRDC)
Azat Foundation
Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (REPID)
Association of Voluntary Actions for Society (AVAS)
Manzil Organization Balochistan
Farmers Development Organization
KAALO Aid & Development
AAINA
National Development Programme (NDP)
Trócaire
Caritas India
Initiative for Development and Empowerment Axis (IDEA)
Veer Development Organization
Shariatpur Development Society (SDS)
Doctors of the World
Islamic Relief
Gargaar Relief and Development Organization - GREDO
Humanitarian Aid International (FUNDING FREEZE)
Rural Community Development Society (RCDS)
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
Humanity & Inclusion UK (Handicap International)
World Jewish Relief
Rural Development Foundation (RDF)
Care International UK
Sami Foundation
Muslim Hands
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.
Doaba Foundation
EHD
Cesvi
Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS)
People’s Oriented Programme Implementation (POPI)
Steward Women
Yuganter
Acted
Solidarités International
Mechanism for Rational Change (MRC)
Caritas Sri Lanka
Community Development Foundation (CDF)
Youth Organization
Chaitanya Jyothi Welfare Society
People in Need (PIN)
Nabolok Parishad
RDRS Bangladesh
Caritas Bangladesh
EHSAR Foundation
Caritas Goma
Gautam Buddha Jagriti Society
Sangtani Women Rural Development Organization (SWRDO)
Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM)
Agricultural Development Association (PARC)
Tearfund
Eco Social Development Organization (ESDO)
Social-life & Agricultural Development Organization (SADO)
Dorcas Aid International
The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)
Cohesion Foundation Trust
Qatar Charity
Uttaran
Taakulo Somali Community (Hub host)
Save Somali Women and Children
CADENA
PRO-VIDA
LASOONA
Sukaar Foundation Tharparkar
Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS)
Rural Development Organization Buner
Community World Service Asia
MIDEFEHOPS
Dr. Ambedkar Sheti Vikas Va Sanshodhan Sanstha (ASVSS)
Horn Of Africa Voluntary Youth Committee (HAVOYOCO)
Welfare Association Jared
Save the Children UK
Coastal Association for Social Transformation (COAST) Trust
Action Against Hunger UK
Relief International
Updates
All updates
Learnings to Strengthen Anticipatory Action for Cyclones in Madagascar
In July 2025, around 30 key representatives gathered in Antsirabe, Madagascar with a common purpose: to reflect on the lessons learned from the last cyclone season and to strengthen preparedness for the next one.
Start Fund Risk Bulletin: January 2026
The Start Fund monthly Risk Bulletin reports on new, emerging or deteriorating situations.
Beyond Borders, Beyond Words: My Reflections from Hub Connect 2025
Revathi Ramkumar, Hub Coordinator, India Humanitarian Hub, reflects on her experience at last year's Hub Connect.
My Peer Hub Exchange Visit with Start Network
Start Bangladesh Hub hosted a Peer Exchange, bringing together four Start Network hubs - Bangladesh, Ready Pakistan, Somali Humanitarian, and Philippines for shared learning and collaboration from 11–15 August 2025.
1,000 Start Fund Alerts: A Milestone for Locally Led Humanitarian Action
Start Fund, Start Network’s member-led pooled fund, reached a major milestone in 2025: its 1,000th alert.
Start Fund Risk Bulletin: December 2025
The Start Fund monthly Risk Bulletin reports on new, emerging or deteriorating situations.
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