Slow-onset crises: Review of surge practices

This report presents the results of the second tracking mechanism of humanitarian surge response as part of the Start Network Transforming Surge Capacity Project. The focus of the report is on surge practices for slow-onset crises.

The mechanism aims to track changes to surge practices by examining instances of surge deployment by the 11 operational consortium members (“agencies”) in the course of the project.

The report draws on information derived from desk research, interviews and an online survey. This report focuses on the surge response of these 11 agencies in slow-onset crises while making reference to other key surge actors, such as first responders, civil society, governments, the United Nations (UN) and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (RCRC).

For each instance tracked, the mechanism envisaged a rapid review focusing on the agencies’ responses. In this regard, the report does not aim to cover all surge responses to slow-onset crises by the humanitarian sector or other actors.

Slow-onset crises, such as droughts and food insecurity, are expected to increase, owing to multiple factors including climate change and rapid urbanisation. Given the slow and inappropriate responses to recent slow-onset crises, agencies have started to develop tools and mechanisms to ensure more efficient responses to slow-onset crises. Timing, funding, political considerations and integration with existing programmes are seen as key.