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 small-scale, rapid-onset 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. During the first phase of the project, the CHAF supported eight projects of member organizations, providing funding to sudden-onset disasters in a timely manner. This three-year, second phase of the CHAF continues to finance responses to smaller-scale disasters where there are unmet humanitarian needs and gaps in the humanitarian response. With DFATD'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, emergency shelter, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene services.