Rapid funds for COVID-19 response in vulnerable communities

April 9, 2020

Our partner Start Network has launched a new COVID-19 fund to anticipate and respond to the critical needs of people living in low-income countries. Last week, the IKEA Foundation kickstarted this fund with a donation of €1.5 million—and we are calling for other donors to join us.

Start Fund COVID-19 will provide rapid funds for small and medium responses by local organisations working on the frontline in low-income countries. It will also support underfunded parts of the broader COVID-19 response and highlights the need for early humanitarian action before the virus spreads to vulnerable communities.

Start Network is a group of over 50 organisations working together to transform the way the humanitarian sector helps people prepare for, respond to and recover from crises in their own communities. It has many members with expertise in the prevention and control of infectious diseases across the globe.

Support for weak public health systems

Christina Bennett, CEO of Start Network, said: “As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across low-income countries, it is critical to prepare for and respond to the human impact of the virus, particularly in those communities already living with weak public health systems and poor public services.

“Start Fund is the fastest humanitarian funding tool of its kind, so we’re taking this tool and adapting it for COVID-19. This will provide critical rapid and early financing for NGOs to analyse, anticipate and respond to this crisis at the local level quickly, before the bigger funds come online.”

Start Network has already begun responding to COVID-19 in Cameroon and Bangladesh using existing funds. In Cameroon, local organisations will help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among 140,000 refugees and nearby communities. In Bangladesh, a number of projects led by local organisations will help vulnerable communities across the country, including Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar.

Working around the clock

The new fund will enable local organisations to start putting in place measures to prepare and protect communities in densely populated areas. This could include food assistance, as lockdowns in many countries mean people are unable to work, so cannot afford to buy food.

The Start Network’s alerts system has also identified communities that are likely to be overlooked by national responses, including migrants, daily labourers, those who are chronically ill and older people.

Annemieke de Jong, Programme Manager at the IKEA Foundation, said: “We stand in solidarity with the Start Network and our other partners who are on the frontline of COVID-19 response. They are working around the clock to protect vulnerable communities, where people are already living in poverty and have fewer resources to fall back on. By empowering local organisations to take the lead, the Start Network is making sure no-one is left behind. We urge other donors to support this fund.”

Keep an eye on our website for more information on the Start Network’s response in the coming weeks.

Links:
Start Network launches COVID-19 fund
Record number of alerts shows urgent need for rapid and early support to stop the spread of COVID-19

Partner

Start Network
https://startnetwork.org/

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@ikea_foundation
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Follow
Did you know that methane emissions affect both the health of people and our planet? And here’s the fact we can’t forget: methane is 86x more potent than CO₂.But it’s also faster to remove from the atmosphere than CO₂ — meaning that reducing methane can deliver impact sooner. The good news? Solutions already exist, and with support from the IKEA Foundation, the #GlobalMethaneHub is helping scale effective ways to reduce emissions worldwide. 🔗 Spend a day with Henrique to learn more, link in bio. #IKEAfoundation #ClimateChange #ClimateAction
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@ikea_foundation
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•
Follow
In a world full of noise and misinformation, credible voices matter more than ever. That’s why nearly 800 @IKEA co-workers applied to join the 2025 IKEA Foundation Ambassador Programme — a journey that connects them with the people and partners the foundation supports as they tackle real-world challenges every day. Ambassadors listen, ask questions, and learn from those closest to the issues — building understanding they bring back to their teams and communities, where awareness grows and perspectives begin to shift. In 2025, the programme: 🌎 reached five hubs across four continents 🇰🇪 launched the first-ever Super Hub in Nairobi 🌟 welcomed 169 new ambassadors 🌱 grew a global learning community of 550+ people in 30+ countries These numbers reflect a growing curiosity — a desire to understand how change really happens and to hear directly from those working closest to the world’s toughest challenges. None of this learning happens without the insight and generosity of our partners. Their leadership continues to inspire and inform us. With our strategy now in motion, we’re doubling down on #ClimateAwareness at a moment when it matters most — and supporting partners creating solutions for people and planet. For 2026, that energy is even stronger: nearly 1,000 IKEA co-workers applied, and we’re excited to welcome 161 new ambassadors, with 38 more joining our Alumni Hub. We’re proud of what last year set in motion, and looking forward to what comes next. #IKEAfoundation #IKEAFoundationAmbassador
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@ikea_foundation
@ikea_foundation
•
Follow
This year reminded us that progress on climate action isn’t a straight line and that the way we move forward matters. 🌍 As climate extremes intensified and uncertainty grew, we saw the importance of working together — with trust, openness and shared purpose. For the IKEA Foundation, being on the way in 2025 has meant moving forward together: 🤝 With our partners, who are doing the work — working alongside communities, testing new approaches, learning what works and pushing for change where it’s needed most. Their leadership, commitment and courage are what turn ambition into action. 👥 With our team, learning, adapting and shaping a new strategic direction — focused on enabling impact, strengthening partnerships and keeping people at the heart of climate action. 🌱 With our ambassadors and changemakers, who share trusted knowledge, challenge misinformation and help people make sense of complexity with clarity and hope. As we look ahead — deepening partnerships and scaling impact — we carry our founder’s reminder with us: happiness, and real change, are found in the journey. #IKEAfoundation
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