ReliefWeb

07 MARCH 2012

Britain is to establish a new rapid response network of top UK-based businesses and charities to provide emergency relief when major international crises hit - such as floods, famines and earthquakes.

The network, called the Rapid Response Facility, will mobilise life-saving support in the critical hours following a humanitarian disaster, Andrew Mitchell said today.

It is the first time a British government has brought together the power of the private sector as well as non-governmental organisations in this way to take part in emergency relief.

Following a disaster, supplies, experts and vital aid are too often tied up with paperwork, rather than being immediately deployed.

The new facility allows organisations with extensive experience in disaster response to access funding within hours, thereby reaching affected people faster and saving more lives. It will mean the best organisations from across the UK can be mobilised in the critical first 72 hours following a disaster.

So far, 33 organisations have been approved. They include large organisations like Christian Aid, Guava International (Land Rover), Mercy Corps and Oxfam.

Specialist organisations are also included, such as the medical relief experts Merlin, water purifiers Lifesaver Systems and mapping volunteers MapAction.

The facility will see greater collaboration than ever before between government, charities and business, to ensure the British response is effectively coordinated.

A real-time disaster planning exercise at the Department for International Development has tested how the new facility would get help to affected people quickly and effectively.

The new Rapid Response Facility will be activated in the event of a large scale humanitarian crisis. The selected organisations will be approached within hours and expected to take immediate action to deliver targeted aid to affected people.

Notes to editors

The following organisations have been approved:

Action Against Hunger

Action Aid

AST

British Red Cross

Butyl

CAFOD

Care International

Castell Communications

Christian Aid

Guava International (Land Rover)

Lifesaver Systems

MapAction

Mercy Corps Scotland

Merlin

Mine Advisory Group

Osprey Plastics

Oxfam

Pump International

Concern

Evenproducts

GOAL

Handicap International

HelpAge International

International Medical Corps

International Rescue Committee

Islamic Relief

Reltex

Save the Children

ShelterBox

Spectrum Biosecure

Tearfund

Toughstuff

World Vision