The UK Department for International Development (DFID) has opened the application process for its Rapid Response Facility (RRF). RRF is a ready-to-go network of top UK-based businesses and charities that provide emergency relief when major international crises hit – such as floods, famines and earthquakes.
It is used as part of the UK’s response to larger scale or complex emergencies and the funding covers support during the first six weeks of a response. Most recently, it was launched in response to a cholera outbreak in Sierra Leone, committing £2 million of funding for direct treatment. This funding was committed in 42 hours, allowing partners to scale up their activities quickly. Through successfully passing the application process, organisations will become pre-qualified. This means they are pre-approved for UK funds – ready to be invited to make proposals to meet humanitarian needs in the event of a crisis.
The RRF enables the UK to do this in the most effective way. It enables DFID to work with partners that have a proven record of response. It also ensures, through a robust pre-qualification process, that partners provide high quality results and deliver value for money for UK tax payers and people affected by disasters. Partners who are judged to have performed badly will be removed from the RRF.
NGOs seeking pre-qualification as an implementing partner should complete the application forms. The deadline to submit these application forms is 24 January 2013. For more information, visit this link.
