CDP Global Recovery Fund

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy regularly monitors the evolution and status of international disasters and emergencies such as the Horn of Africa hunger crisis, wildfires in Chile, Hurricane Otis, the earthquakes and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and cyclical monsoon flooding causing annual devastation in Pakistan.

The CDP Global Recovery Fund provides donors with a highly efficient, intelligent and flexible solution to expedite a gift to support critical recovery efforts for extremely vulnerable people affected by sudden and slow onset disasters or protracted humanitarian emergencies worldwide.

Undesignated donations allow our team to constantly reassess global needs in real time where the greatest gaps in resources are.

As with all CDP grantmaking, our focus is on helping those disproportionately affected by a disaster, which typically includes people already living in poverty, women, children, older people, people living with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ populations, people living in fragile and complex and conflict-affected areas, and other marginalized or at-risk groups, such as refugees and migrants. Priority will always be given to populations with multiple intersectional or compounding vulnerabilities.

(Photo: Children are seen in front of makeshift tents at Darwan refugee camp in Amran north of Sana’a, Yemen. by Mohammed Hamoud/Anadolu Agency; CC BY-SA 2.0)

This fund helps provide critical life-saving and life-sustaining funding for low-attention disasters where the situation remains dire for families and communities affected, but philanthropic support is limited. And for high-attention disasters that have specific underfunded recovery needs in areas other funders have overlooked.

Our experts conduct robust assessments and analyses on an ongoing basis. We work with our local partners and the communities on the ground to identify the areas to support that will have the greatest impact on those affected.

This fund supports disasters such as:

A holistic approach to supporting long-term recovery

We support community-driven initiatives that address the root causes of vulnerabilities and help strengthen communities after disasters. These include:

Cash programming: Direct cash assistance can allow families to purchase items and services that address their multiple needs. It gives each family flexibility and choice, ensuring that support is relevant and timely.
Community infrastructure: In the aftermath of disasters, the rehabilitation and continued functioning of all critical infrastructure and systems, such as water and sanitation systems or schools, is key to efficient and effective mitigation, response and recovery.
Education: Disasters often affect children’s access to schools. Investing in children’s education and strengthening educational opportunities is critical to mitigate long-term consequences.
Food security: Disasters and crises worsen food insecurity. Solutions should have a two-track approach to balance support for immediate needs with preparedness and resilience-building efforts.
Health: Disasters and crises often result in increased health concerns and damaged or overstretched health care systems. Rehabilitation and restocking of health facilities and strengthening health systems are often needed.
Livelihoods: Improving, restoring and diversifying livelihoods is critical to improve household income and enable long-term recovery and resilience.
Mental health and psychosocial support: Ongoing conflict and other traumatic disaster events can cause post-traumatic stress among survivors, requiring psychological first aid and psychosocial support programs.
Protection: After a disaster, protecting vulnerable and at-risk individuals and ensuring access to their basic rights are immediate priorities.
Shelter and non-food items (NFIs): Many disasters result in displaced individuals needing access to safe shelter options and non-food items such as tents, blankets, basic household items, hygiene kits, cooking utensils and flashlights.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): Disasters often damage sanitation facilities and sewage systems, increasing the risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases. Access to hygiene supplies, clean water and sanitation facilities will be critical to reduce the spread of diseases.
Capacity strengthening: Investing in building the capacity of local organizations is an investment in equitable recovery, whether it is funding equipment, office space or staff positions.
Coordination: A coordination service helps government entities, nongovernmental organizations and community groups involved in relief and long-term recovery efforts collaborate and complement efforts to minimize overlaps, redundancies and miscommunications.
Disaster risk reduction: Strengthening resilience before a disaster event makes it possible to shorten recovery timelines and support an efficient recovery after a disaster or crisis.

Current priority funding focus areas in the Horn of Africa

Economic recovery and the restoration of resilient livelihoods for the most at-risk populations, especially amid impacts of climate change such as drought, conflict and other hazards.
Early childhood development, such as education and nutrition, targeting young children, parents, caregivers, teachers and other key stakeholders.
Improved access to water, sanitation, hygiene and health.
Unique needs of refugees and internally displaced populations.
Research and other initiatives on disaster and climate change resiliency and mitigation strategies.
Advocacy to change or improve systems and policies that help communities equitably recover after disasters.

Current priority funding focus areas in Afghanistan

Economic recovery and the restoration of resilient livelihoods for most at-risk populations, especially amid impacts of climate change, conflict and other hazards.
Early childhood development, such as education and nutrition, targeting young children, parents, caregivers, teachers and other key stakeholders.
Research and other initiatives on disaster and climate change resiliency and mitigation strategies.

Other recent priority funding areas

The Global Recovery Fund is also used as a funding vehicle for other disasters based on evolving needs and funds raised.

The current disasters other than Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa that we are fundraising for include:

With an intersectional racial equity lens and an emphasis on medium- and long-term recovery, CDP experts work to identify the most critical gaps in the recovery to confidently direct financial and technical support where it is needed most and where your contribution will have the greatest impact.

CDP conducts extensive needs assessment and analysis in consultation with the local disaster- and crisis-affected populations, UN agencies, and local, national and international governmental and nongovernmental actors.

With support from our Global Recovery Fund, our grantee partners are helping affected communities rebuild stronger than before crisis struck.

See all grantees partners