The Global Rapid Response Fund (GRRF) is an annual funding appeal administered by the ACT Alliance secretariat. The fund prioritises ACT local and national members in line with our localisation commitments and in recognition of the distinct advantage these members have in providing timely, high quality, locally led emergency response interventions. Funds for the RRF are provided by ACT Alliance members and non-members.

The total request for funding this year is USD 2,529,167 with a total budget of USD3,250,000, and with last year’s balance carried over of USD 720,833.07. This request will provide assistance in communities impacted by humanitarian crises up to 20 local contexts with a maximum funding ceiling of USD$150,000 per local member. GRRF proposals are assessed based on the ACT Scale up criteria which includes a requirement for requesting members to include a needs assessment and updated EPRP as part of their application for funding. RRF funding projects are normally between a minimum two and maximum six-month duration. Anticipatory action will be piloted this year where an additional allocation of USD 250,000 will be earmarked.

GRRF24 Appeal

February 2024 marks two years since the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Heavy fighting and attacks continue to impact 3.7 million internally displaced people, with 111,500 people residing in collective sites and 6.5 million refugees seeking safety, mostly across Europe.

The Appeal has been revised using updated needs assessments of ACT members (AIDRom, Christian Aid, Church World Service, HEKS/EPER, Hungarian Interchurch Aid and Lutheran World Federation) and findings and recommendations from the external evaluation conducted in December 2023 – January 2024.

Based on this revision and the funds received, the new budget requested is 25,612,489  USD.

UKR221 Appeal Extension Final

UKR221 Results Framework Extension

After nearly 13 years of conflict, Syria remains a complex humanitarian and protection emergency characterized by ongoing hostilities and their long-term consequences, including widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, economic collapse, explosive ordnance contamination, Covid 19, and one of the largest numbers of internally displaced people in the world.

Compounding this situation, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8, with at least 1,200 aftershocks have been reported (occurred at Central Turkey near the city of Gaziantep), followed by a second earthquake of 7.5 magnitude on February 6, 2023.  Striking communities during winter, these earthquakes left hundreds of thousands of people, including vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly, without access to essential resources like shelter, food, water, heat, and medical care in freezing temperatures. The disaster severely affected at least 15.73 million people in Turkey and Syria, resulting in a tragic loss of over 55,000 lives and nearly 130,000 injuries. The earthquakes led to the displacement of millions from their homes.

In Syria, close to 9 million people were impacted, with the most significant damage concentrated in the north-western regions, particularly Aleppo and Idlib. In these areas, more than 7,400 buildings were either completely or partially destroyed, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.

As the situation is moving from emergency to recovery, Syria is experiencing further despair either in its political instability or economic downfall, the situation is ever-changing and even more dire. ACT Syria Forum members and HIA are responding together to deliver life-saving and early recovery support to a targeted 1.5 million beneficiaries.

This 4^th revision is based upon the updated needs assessments of ACT members in the appeal (CA, GOPA-DERD, HEKS/EPER, the LWF, MECC and HIA in Türkiye ). This includes an update of the results framework, budgets and the integration a Survivor & Community Led Response (SCLR) approach by of Christian Aid through their local partners.   Based on this revision and funds received, the new budget requested is 3,520,892 USD.

SYR231 – Syria Turkey Response Revision 4

Results-Framework SYR231- Revision 4

Links to the previous versions:

Syria and Türkiye: Syria Protracted Crisis – Developing the Resilience of Affected People and Emergency Response for Affected Communities of Syria-Türkiye Earthquake – SYR231- Revision 3 – ACT Alliance

Syria and Türkiye: Syria Protracted Crisis – Developing the Resilience of Affected People and Emergency Response for Affected Communities – SYR231- Revision 2 | ACT Alliance

Syria: Syria Protracted Crisis – Developing the Resilience of Affected People and Emergency Response for Affected Communities of Syria-Türkiye Earthquake- SYR231- Revision 1 | ACT Alliance

SYRIA: Syria Protracted Crisis – Developing the Resilience of Affected People – SYR231 | ACT Alliance

On October 3^rd 2023, Pakistan’s interim government announced the repatriation of “illegal” refugees and migrants, citing security concerns but were later also found to be targeting Afghan Citizen Card holders and even those with Proof of Registration cards. Since then, according to UNHCR, more than 450,000 people have returned to Afghanistan.

In Phase one of the government’s plan, effective from November 1^st, the focus was on “illegal” Afghans—those lacking documentation, possessing fake Pakistani papers, or overstaying visas. The subsequent phases are targeting Afghan Citizen Card holders and even those with Proof of Registration cards, although no specific timeline has been announced. A hotline established by the Interior Ministry has been encouraging reporting, leading to fines for landlords and firms employing Afghans without proper documents which has resulted in local law enforcement harassing Afghans indiscriminately.

The enforcement measures have raised international human rights concerns, and the situation is further complicated by the inadequate preparedness of Afghanistan to accommodate many deportees amidst existing crises.

From January to December 2023, 49,468 families and 283,029 individuals had returned to Afghanistan. In Nangarhar, 58,241 females (35387 children and 22854 adults) and 63433 males (40388 children and 23045 adults) have returned.

Whereas, till January 15^th, 2024, 386 families and 1913 individuals have returned to Afghanistan. Based on the initial findings of a Multi-Sectoral Need Assessment (MSNA) survey (please refer to the attached report) conducted by CWSA in Laghman and Nangarhar provinces.

Afghan deportees are extremely vulnerable, particularly women and children are at risk of losing their lives in a harsh winter if left without adequate shelter.

According to the initial assessment conducted by CWSA, the priority needs are; Emergency shelter (tents, as well as longer-term solutions to withstand winter), Cash assistance, WASH (latrines, potable water and storage containers), Food assistance and protection, Healthcare and medicines, Livelihood, Quality & accountability (Q&A), Education.

ACT Alliance member Community World Services Asia (CWSA) with the support from ACT Secretariate RRF mechanism will be supporting around 3000 by providing the multi-purpose cash assistance in the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

RRF 01 2024 Afghanistan Returnees

On 7 October 2023, Palestinian militant groups launched a major attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. The attack included rocket barrages and vehicle-transported attacks across the border on Israeli communities and forces. In response, the government of Israel declared a state of emergency and war; The Israeli military retaliated by conducting a counteroffensive and an extensive aerial bombardment campaign on Gaza followed by an invasion.

This conflict created a short-term crisis for families from Gaza Strip, as many of the Gazans who were visiting Jordan, families and students, were severely affected and got stuck due to the borders closure into Gaza and were not able to return. Thus, forcing them to stay in Jordan with no source of income and having to cover their own survival needs in Jordan such as paying rent, securing their basic daily needs (food, non-food, medications), and students who are already studying at the Jordanian universities lost all financial support to continue their studies Adding to this, the context created a negative impact on psychological wellbeing of these people who were stuck in Jordan resulting a sense of helplessness, stress, and insecurity.

There is no ceasefire in sight and therefore the situation of Gaza families and students is expected to continue at least for three from the time a ceasefire is reached.

ACT Jordan Forum member DSPR is planning to support around 1,230 most vulnerable people directly affected by the current conflict  with MPCA, shelter and MHPSS.

RRF15-2023 Jordan

Kenya and Tanzania are witnessing widespread flooding attributed to the El Nino phenomenon, leading to the loss of lives, livelihoods and causing displacement.

According to the Government of Kenya nearly 950,000 people across the country are affected, close to 89,000 households (534,000 people) are displaced and 160 people have lost their lives.

According to the latest information from UNOCHA the death toll due to flooding and mudslides in Tanzania has risen to 88 persons, with 139 injured and 5,600 people affected according to the Tanzania government official report on 11^th December 2023.

Members of ACT Kenya Forum (NCCK, KELC, CWS) and members of ACT Tanzania Forum (ELCT, TCRS, CCT) are planning to response to the floods through a regional appeal.

EAR 231 Floods Response

Consolidated Results Framework-Kenya Tanzania

Since 2019 Lebanon has been experiencing a series of disasters ranging from the beginning of an economic crisis, the outbreak of COVID-19, and the devastating 2020 Beirut Blast. Combined with the political deadlock in the country and the inability to reach a common understanding of how the country should proceed, the economic crisis only worsened to extreme lengths. As a result, the Lebanese currency continued to depreciate while inflation increased. More people fell into poverty and those already classified as vulnerable are now in a much more difficult position, large numbers of people can no longer afford to pay for basic needs. This made them unable to afford healthcare and education as money is very scarce and only covers necessities of food. Assessments among the affected population highlighted the need for food, cash assistance, rehabilitation and psychosocial support.

The extension for additional 12 months of the appeal is based upon the needs assessments of ACT members in the appeal DSPR and MECC, and  arises from the high humanitarian needs on ground to respond to the current crises in Lebanon as the appeal was underfunded.

LEB211 Appeal – Extension

Since October 8, the number of people forcibly displaced in South Lebanon due to conflicts and violence on its borders continues to rise. These internally displaced persons found themselves in precarious situations, in desperate need of assistance and protection; especially those who do not have the means to rent elsewhere. Over 50,000 IDP’s are now scattered in collective shelters, municipalities and some in rental houses or with families. IDPs in collective shelters often lack the basic necessities of life, including food, water, healthcare, and essential supplies.

Tyre.  As of 21^st of November 2023, Lebanon has recorded 55,491 internally displaced persons (IDPs).  IDPs have sought safety in 429 locations (villages or neighborhoods) across 355 cadasters throughout Lebanon. Displacement has been observed in 25 out of the 26 districts across all eight governorates. Most of the IDPs (73%) are in five districts out of the total 25 districts hosting IDPs – specifically, Sour, El Nabatieh, Aley, Beirut, and Saida.

ACT Lebanon Forum member MECC  are planning to support around 5,360 most vulnerable people directly affected by the current conflict MPCA and WASH.

RRF14 -2023 Lebanon – Internal displacement