Emergencies Action Fund

Around the world, the demand for humanitarian assistance is escalating at an unprecedented rate.

In 2024 alone, nearly 300 million people were estimated to need aid and protection—a number that continues to rise as violent conflicts intensify and climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe.

The first 72 hours after a disaster are critical. Lives are at stake, and the physical and emotional toll can be overwhelming. Yet, while public appeals raise significant funds, they often take time to mobilise, delaying vital support to those in desperate need.

By making a donation to our Emergencies Action Fund today, you can help us prepare for and respond to coming disasters and emergencies in countries all over the world. This fund allows us to act immediately when disaster strikes, providing life-saving assistance when it matters most.

The Emergencies Action Fund exists to ensure we are always ready to respond in emergencies — it is reserved solely for this work.

ActionAid’s approach in emergencies

When disasters and emergencies strike, ActionAid does things differently.

We know that women and girls often suffer the most during humanitarian emergencies.

Typically, more women than men are killed by rapid onset disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes, and violence against women and girls increases during all emergencies, especially in conflict.

That’s why, when emergencies happen, we work directly with local women and girls to meet the needs of those affected.

Our approach is to empower local women to lead the response. Local women know best what their communities need, and are able to get life-saving supplies quickly and fairly to those who need it most.

We work on-the-ground to deliver emergency aid like food, water, shelter and medicine, to meet the immediate needs of people affected by crisis.

And in the long-term, we work hand-in-hand with communities to help them rebuild and recover, putting women and girls’ safety and wellbeing at the heart of our approach.