Thematic Areas of Focus

Humanitarian

Climate Justice

Gender Justice

Migration & Displacement

Peace & Human Security

Advocacy

Humanitarian Responses & Emergency Preparedness

Supporting the strength and knowledge of our local members in humanitarian responce

 

In 2024, 300 million people required humanitarian assistance and protection due to conflict, climate emergencies, and other factors. Humanitarian needs continue to surpass the resources that are available within the international system, the funding shortfall across humanitarian appeals globally was 54% (UN OCHA Dec 2024 GHO) by the end of the year.  Conflict remains one of the primary drivers of humanitarian needs. Conflict levels have almost doubled in the past five years (ACAPS), amid the worsening of existing conflicts and the resurgence of conflicts that were of low intensity. ACT Alliance members have responded and continue to respond to the humanitarian needs of affected populations in some of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

"It is a privilege to be part of a global network of dedicated, faith-based partner organisations. One of the most important achievements in 2024 is the continued delivery of humanitarian responses. In particular, I would like to raise the importance of the ACT Rapid Response Fund. Thanks to the Fund, churches and local faith-based organisations around the world can quickly respond to humanitarian needs in their communities, and Act CoS is proud to support this work. Moreover, the ACT Alliance provides us with a joint platform for collaboration on advocacy, amplifying voices from all around the world and elevating impact together."

Coleen Heemskerk, Act Church of Sweden

Local Humanitarian Leadership and the Triple Nexus Approach to Programming: ACT Alliance’s Humanitarian Vision for 2025

Niall O’Rourke, Head of Humanitarian Affairs at ACT Alliance,
shares how locally led action, the Rapid Response Fund, and Triple Nexus programming are shaping humanitarian response in 2025.

01
Policy and Strategic Commitments
01

Policy and Strategic Commitments

 

  • In line with the ACT Global Strategy, locally led response was prioritised as a core area of focus for humanitarian work in 2024.
  • ACT Alliance launched a Pledge of Commitments on locally led response at the ACT General Assembly in Yogyakarta (October 2024).
  • The pledge outlined operational and investment shifts to ensure local organisations are central to ACT’s humanitarian efforts, with a focus on community-led and locally owned responses.
02
Advocacy and Global Visibility
02

Advocacy and Global Visibility

 

  • Five public statements on key humanitarian issues were developed and published at the General Assembly, amplifying ACT’s collective voice on global humanitarian policy.
  • The public statement on locally led response served as a launchpad for stronger sector-wide advocacy on shifting power and funding to local actors.
03
Operational Shifts through the Locally Led Response Pledge
03

Operational Shifts through the Locally Led Response Pledge

 

ACT members committed to five core actions:

  • Move towards national member leadership in the ACT Alliance Appeal humanitarian mechanism.
  • Develop and implement policies to increase indirect cost recovery (ICR) for local and national organisations and align with the Grand Bargain’s commitment to increase direct funding to local actors.
  • Encourage mutual investment in capacity-sharing between national and international members to ensure high-quality response and sustainable development cooperation.
  • Strengthen and expand the Rapid Response Fund (RRF) as a key tool for fast, flexible, locally driven response.
  • Ensure gender equality is integrated into all aspects of ACT’s locally led humanitarian action.   

Appeals

USD 14,594,775

(based on the institutional Audit report) mobilised for humanitarian responses through appeals to 31 members in 27 countries responding to 21 crises. Out of which, 19 are local members. Most international members also work with local implementing partners.

Rapid Response Fund

USD 2,175,182

 

was disbursed from the Rapid Response Fund to 17 local members in 14 countries responding to small or medium-scale emergencies.

ACT Alliance has two humanitarian funding mechanisms, Appeal and Rapid Response Funds (RRF). ACT appeals respond to a crisis over a period of one or more years while RRFs are implemented within a six-month period.  These were the active appeals and RRFs in 2024.

 

  At Risk 

(Number of vulnerabilities or disasters per region) 

Presence (Disaster/vulnerabilities that ACT responded to)  RRF Appeal Self Assessment

(assessment on compliance with the CHS) 

Africa 23 17 5 6 2 
Asia 6 6 5 1 1 
MENA 5 4 2 3 3 
LAC 7 5 4 0 2 
Pacific 1 1 0 0 0 
Europe 1 1 1 1 0 
Total 43 34 17 11 8 

 

Where was the money spent
CountryAll appeals except RRF 2024RRF 2024Total 2024
Afghanistan189,213.74500,000.00689,213.74
Armenia179,774.91179,774.91
Brazil149,970.00149,970.00
Colombia80,000.0080,000.00
El Salvador30,000.0030,000.00
Honduras56,384.2156,384.21
Indonesia195,213.00195,213.00
Iraq577,233.06577,233.06
Jordan870.35870.35
Kenya453,401.94453,401.94
Lebanon1,187,376.591,187,376.59
Malawi150,000.00150,000.00
Myanmar187,376.9050,000.00237,376.90
Nigeria50,000.0050,000.00
Pakistan277,615.69277,615.69
Palestine2,306,793.832,306,793.83
Philippines350,000.00350,000.00
Sierra Leone79,999.0079,999.00
Somalia646,164.84646,164.84
South Sudan121,082.97121,082.97
Sudan1,162,241.081,162,241.08
Syrian Arab Republic1,538,449.671,538,449.67
Tanzania350,981.28350,981.28
The Democratic Republic of the Congo391,902.22391,902.22
Turkïye48.9848.98
Uganda374,983.25374,983.25
Ukraine2,527,697.652,527,697.65
Zimbabwe430,000.00430,000.00
Grand Total12,473,208.952,121,566.2114,594,775.16

 

Rapid Response Fund (RRF)
RegionUSDUSD Total per Region% of Region to Total
Africa
GRR241 – 6 – Malawi El niño150,000.00
GRR241-14-Nigeria50,000.00
GRR241-13-Sierra Leone79,999.00
GRR241 – 8 – Zimbabwe -EL niño280,000.00
GRR241- 7 – Zimbabwe El niño150,000.00709,999.0033%
Asia
GRR241 – 1 – Afghanistan150,000.00
GRR241 – 10 / Afghanistan50,000.00
GRR241 – 5 – Afghanistan300,000.00
GRR241 – 4 – Indonesia89,867.00
GRR241 – 4 – Indonesia105,346.00
GRR241 – 12 – Myanmar50,000.00
GRR241 – 11 – Philippines50,000.00
GRR241 – 16 – Philippines150,000.00
GRR241 – 2 – Philippines150,000.001,095,213.0052%
Latin America and The Caribbean
GRR241 – 3 – Brazil149,970.00
GRR241 – 15 – Colombia80,000.00
GRR241 – 17 – Honduras56,384.21
GRR241- 09-El Salvador30,000.00316,354.2115%
Grand Total2,121,566.212,121,566.21100%

 

Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo – CEA241

 

An escalation in the conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2024 deepened the country’s already catastrophic humanitarian crisis leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands of people displaced, both within the Kivu provinces and across the border into neighbouring countries.  ACT Alliance members in the DRC, Tanzania  and Uganda responded to the massive humanitarian needs resulting from the violence. Local ACT members BOAD, ECC Meru and EELCO in DRC were at the forefront of the humanitarian response, working in close collaboration with Christian Aid.  In the 12 months from March, working across the districts of Minova, Bulengo, Nyabibwe in South Kivu and Bulongo, Lushaga and Don Bosco in North Kivu, ACT members provided lifesaving assistance, including clean drinking water, non-food items and cash assistance, to over 5000 people.  

Uganda – Nakivale Refugee Settlement

 

Lutheran World Federation (LWF) provided Shelter, WASH, NFIs, protection and psychosocial support, HEKS-EPER provided shelter and livelihood, Finn Church Aid provided Education for refugees whilst local member Church of Uganda (COU) supported those displaced through a GBV Prevention and Response programme in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement base camp. Appeal members used a triple-nexus approach – addressing peace, security and sustainable interventions in their programmes, where the promotion of social cohesion, mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence between host communities, refugees and IDPs was an important part of their work.

COU provided training in alternative dispute resolution approaches. The training helped the community to understand peace building and conflict resolution mechanisms in Nakivale settlement as a way of promoting peaceful co-existence in the community.

Europe:
Ukraine UKR221

 

In Ukraine, ACT Alliance established a Survivor and Community Led Response (SCLR) Community of Practice to advance locally led humanitarian responses. SCLR leverages community knowledge to identify needs and design solutions, empowering local and marginalised groups to lead initiatives. During the ACT response in Ukraine, it was possible to use the SCLR methodology at scale through the implementation of over 250 SCLR Activities.
Christian Aid, with partners Serve Now and Light of Reformation, implemented 46 SCLR initiatives across six oblasts, directly benefiting over 7,200 individuals. Small grants enabled mutual aid, social cohesion, and long-term community mobilisation. Projects included rebuilding shelters and play spaces, with many initiatives sustained beyond the funding period. Community Selection Committees ensured accountability, while local facilitators offered capacity-building support, restoring trust and agency across conflict-affected communities.

Looking ahead to 2025, ACT Alliance will continue its strategic focus on strengthening locally led humanitarian responses. Building on the Pledge of Commitments launched at the 2024 General Assembly, the Alliance will prioritise operationalising this pledge to ensure that local organisations remain at the centre of humanitarian action. This includes deepening work on capacity sharing and strengthening among members, fostering mutual learning and sustainable partnerships that enhance the quality and impact of responses.

In addition, ACT Alliance aims to significantly expand the Rapid Response Fund (RRF), with an ambitious goal to grow the fund to USD 10 million by 2027. This expansion will ensure greater flexibility and speed in addressing humanitarian needs as they arise, enabling local churches and faith-based organisations to respond swiftly and effectively within their communities.

The Alliance will also continue to integrate the triple-nexus approach across its programmes, working at the intersections of humanitarian action, development, and peacebuilding. By promoting social cohesion, peaceful coexistence, and long-term resilience alongside lifesaving assistance, ACT Alliance seeks to create more sustainable and transformative outcomes for communities affected by crisis.

Previous
Next