Start Network, a coalition of more than fifty national and international aid agencies, has announced the launch of a global financial service that will support the humanitarian sector in its efforts to tackle the climate crisis.

Announced at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) being held in Glasgow, Scotland, with commitments of £1 million ($1.35 million) from the UK government, €250,000 ($289,429) from the French government, €500,000 ($578,823) from the IKEA Foundation, and $2 million from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, Start Ready will provide funding at scale for predictable crises such as droughts, flooding, and heat waves. Based on locally led action and intelligence, the service will use risk analysis, collective planning, pre-agreed triggers, and pre-positioned financing to anticipate and respond to needs around the world. Start Ready also will provide tools to help charities prepare for climate-related emergencies and make humanitarian funds available from the moment a crisis is predicted.

"The climate emergency is escalating rapidly, but the global humanitarian funding system is not keeping pace," said Start Network CEO Christina Bennett. "Although 55 percent of crises are somewhat predictable, only 1 percent of humanitarian funding is released before disaster strikes. We are delighted to launch Start Ready. Pre-emptive climate risk financing will revolutionize the aid sector by making funding more efficient and effective. It will help communities become more resilient to climate risks — and save more lives."

"The climate crisis is also a humanitarian crisis. Vulnerable children, families, and communities are already feeling its impacts," said IKEA Foundation chief communication officer Truus Huisman. "By acting now, we can help communities to be prepared. That's why the IKEA Foundation is supporting Start Ready. This program will scale up locally led disaster risk financing systems and help organizations take steps to prevent climate risks."

(Photo credit: Islamic Relief)