Migration Emergency Response Fund
Filling the gap in humanitarian responses for migrants in Africa
The Start Network’s Migration Emergency Response Fund (MERF) has now ended. It supported organisations to provide a rapid response to changes in needs along the migration route.
About the MERF
Adapting to fluctuating needs along the migration route
The Migration Emergency Response Fund (MERF) was a rapid response context-specific contingency fund operated and managed by Start Network, its members, and in collaboration with its donor, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The objective of the MERF was to rapidly respond to acute and emerging gaps and changes in needs along migration route. It was also meant to improve the effectiveness and understanding of the migration response and trends. It operated in 11 countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Sudan and Tunisia.
Members were able to raise an alert in the following circumstances:
New/unforeseen humanitarian needs that cannot be responded to under current programming
Emergence of new vulnerable groups not covered under ongoing programmes
Clear systemic gaps that are currently not covered under ongoing programmes but have a high impact on the people affected
WATCH: LEARNING FROM A MIGRATION-SPECIFIC FUND
How to raise a MERF alert
The new phase of the MERF is focused entirely on Africa and members of the Start Network can now respond to acute needs along the migration route.
Migration Emergency Response Fund Handbook 2018
Learning
How effective was the MERF when responding to mixed migration flows?
Types of Alert
1. Alert for a 1-3-month response - Standard response
2. Alert for a 3-6-month response – Can be used in circumstances where a slightly longer response can be strongly justified
3. Crisis Anticipation – Can be raised for 1-3 month projects where a crisis can be anticipated
Collaborative Information Collection and Analysis (CICA) grant
A grant for needs assessments, context analysis or information gathering that could be used to build a case for further funding. Guidance on how to submit a CICA request can be found here.
Related Programmes:
The MERF came after the Start Network had responded to migration in Europe through the European Refugees Response programmes in 2015 and 2016. You can find more information about these programmes here.
The MERF initially ran from January to December 2017 and funded 15 projects in 4 countries. Lessons from this phase have been built into the current phase of the MERF. Please find the MERF annual report here, and independent research on the MERF and Mixed Migration Flows along the Mediterranean here.
MERF members and donor
Action Against Hunger
ACTED
ALIMA
CAFOD
Care International
Catholic Relief Services
Christian Aid
Danish Refugee Council
Doctors of the World
Dorcas Aid International
GOAL
Humanity & Inclusion
International Medical Corps
International Rescue Committee
Islamic Relief
Mines Advisory Group
Mercy Corps
Norwegian Refugee Council
Oxfam
Plan International
Save the Children
Solidarités International
Tearfund
Welthungerhilfe
World Vision
The MERF was funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and is delivered as part of a consortium project with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).