You Are Responding to an Emergency
Four steps for the first weeks of a response, with the three documents you will need most.
Step 1: Assess needs quickly
Run a short rapid assessment that covers who is affected, what they need most and what others are already doing.
- Run a rapid needs assessment (How-to)
Step 2: Join the coordination
Find out which coordination groups are active in your area, attend and share what you learn, so your response does not duplicate others.
Topic: Humanitarian ResponseStep 3: Report what you see
Send short, regular situation reports: what changed, what you did, what is needed next.
- Humanitarian Situation Report Template (Template)
- Draft a situation report from field notes (Prompt)
Step 4: Find emergency funding
Pooled funds and rapid-response windows exist for local organizations. Check eligibility early; registration can take longer than the proposal.
Topic: Humanitarian Response