Humanitarian Emergency Fund: annual report 2023-2024

Section A. Introduction to the Humanitarian Emergency Fund

Background to the Humanitarian Emergency Fund

In 2017, the Scottish Government established a £1 million per annum Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) to respond to humanitarian emergencies. It comprises an expert Panel (HEF Panel) with representatives from eight leading humanitarian aid organisations based in Scotland. Funds from the HEF are allocated to crises that meet a range of criteria, based on recommendations from the HEF Panel, supported by the HEF Secretariat administered by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

Aims and Objectives of the HEF

The aim of the HEF is to:

• Provide immediate and effective assistance to reduce the threat of life and wellbeing (e.g., hunger, disease, or death) for a large number of a population caused by disasters, disease, or conflict.

In addition, the HEF should:

• Build public awareness in Scotland of humanitarian crises and raise additional funding.
• Demonstrate the Scottish Government’s role as a responsible global citizen with a vested interest in responding to global humanitarian challenges.
• Bring enhanced transparency and predictability to the SG’s emergency funding.

How the Fund is activated:

The Fund is activated in one of two ways:

1) Stream 1 – Funds are awarded by Scottish Ministers after a UK-wide humanitarian appeal is launched by the Disasters Emergency Committee. Smaller sums can also be released to Scottish-based organisations who are part of the HEF Panel but are not part of the UK’s DEC coalition via this channel.

2) Stream 2 - When a UK-wide DEC appeal is not immediately anticipated but a crisis, often a protracted crisis, meets the Fund’s activation criteria, then projects can be approved by Scottish Ministers for funding after a competitive, peer-reviewed process amongst all HEF Panel members.