Humanitarian Coalition

Published purpose

The Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), managed by the Humanitarian Coalition (HC), supports timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to those affected by rapid-onset, small- and medium-scale disasters in developing countries. Through the CHAF, funds are allocated to the Humanitarian Coalition member best placed to respond to a particular emergency. The Humanitarian Coalition is made up of seven Canadian non-governmental organizations: Canadian Lutheran World Relief, CARE Canada, Islamic Relief Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada. In the second phase of the project, CHAF supported 40 projects by member organizations to respond to sudden-onset small-scale disasters in a timely manner. This two-year, third phase of the CHAF continues to finance responses to smaller-scale disasters where there are unmet humanitarian needs and gaps in the humanitarian response. The project also allows for responses to medium-scale disasters. With GAC's support, the CHAF is: (1) promoting early actions and responses to reduce loss of life; (2) improving the speed of emergency responses; and (3) supporting live-saving activities such as health care, protection services, and emergency shelter, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene services.