Rapid response fund

Every year ActionAid helps thousands of poor people facing emergency situations brought about by disasters such as hunger, floods or war. The rapid response fund allows us to react to emergency situations and quickly assist people when they need it most.

At the time the hurricane hit, the attention of the public and the international community was understandably focused on the Pakistan earthquake. The rapid response fund ensured that hurricane Stan was not overlooked, ActionAid Guatemala was able to work with local partners and provide immediate relief in the form of water, food and clothing. We were also able to ensure that priority housing was given to women and children as well as assist those people who lost family members.

ActionAid's rapid response fund has been used in four key areas in the aftermath of the crisis in Zimbabwe;

• to provide immediate relief
• running special interest groups to address the particular needs of women (most affected by the crisis) and people living with or affected by HIV & AIDS
• seeking legal redress for those affected through constitutional challenges, class action and compensation cases
• developing an information coordination centre through which we are gathering data and case studies.