The Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) is an annual £ 1 million fund provided by the Scottish Government to respond to overseas humanitarian emergencies. The aim of the HEF is to provide immediate and effective assistance to reduce the threat to life and wellbeing (e.g., hunger, disease or death) for a large number of a population caused by disasters, disease or conflict.
The HEF is administered by the Disasters Emergency Committee, and since its establishment in 2017, has been supported by a panel of representatives from eight leading humanitarian organisations in Scotland; Oxfam, The British Red Cross, Islamic Relief, Tearfund, Save the Children, Christian Aid, SCIAF and Mercy Corps.
Funds from the Humanitarian Emergency Fund are allocated on the recommendations of this panel, with a focus on both high-profile appeals administered by the Disasters Emergency Committee and those less publicised crises which don’t often draw the required attention and resources.
Frances Guy, Scotland’s International Development Alliance’s Chief Executive is the Chair of the HEF panel.
This page aims to provide information and stories about the impact of the HEF, while also highlighting the humanitarian challenges that face us as a global community.
Latest News from the HEF
How Scottish Government funding is helping ‘the forgotten refugees’ from South Sudan
In Ethiopia’s Gambella region, amidst various refugee camps that shelter around 380,000 people, lies Pinyudo camp – a home for those who have fled conflict in South Sudan.
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£250,000 for refugees fleeing conflict
Humanitarian emergency funding for displaced people in South Sudan and Ethiopia.
Read more Scottish Government announces £500,000 aid for Malawi
Two charities will receive £250,000 each from the Scottish Government’s international development fund to help address a food crisis in Malawi.
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DEC raises £13m for people affected by Türkiye-Syria earthquakes
The Disasters Emergency Committee in Scotland thanks people from across the country for raising more than £13 million for millions of people affected by the Turkey-Syria earthquakes exactly one year ago.
Read more Humanitarian Emergency Fund to fund charities tackling climate impact
The Scottish Government has announced an additional £1m funding through the Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) to support projects across Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Pakistan, designed to support communities at most risk from the impacts of the Climate Crisis.
Read more Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) report on Pakistan Floods Appeal
International Development Minister Christina McKelvie has pledged new funding from the Scottish Government to support projects providing access to clean water, food and shelter in Gaza and Libya.
Read more Addressing the unequal impacts of climate change
The First Minister Humza Yousaf has called on governments to accelerate financial support for countries most affected by climate-induced loss and damage, in a keynote speech during Climate Week NYC.
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Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) report on Pakistan Floods Appeal
DEC have produced a multi media report, which explains how donations are helping people in Pakistan recover from last year’s historic floods. £4.8 million was raised here in Scotland, which includes £900,000 from the Scottish Government, £250,00 of which came from the Humanitarian Emergency Fund.
Read more Humanitarian Emergency Fund Releases Latest Annual Report (2021 – 2022)
In this, the fifth year of its operation, the HEF funded responses to the large-scale disaster unfolding in Afghanistan, and also to the less publicised crises in South Sudan and Burkina Faso. There were a further two emergencies that were funded directly by the Scottish Government to HEF member organisations: the Tropical Storm Response in Malawi, and the Conflict in Ukraine.
Read more A World in Crisis: Scottish Parliament Hosts Event to mark 5 Years of Scotland’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund
HEF member organisations shared with MSPs, Scottish Government officials and members of the public about the vital help that they have been providing for people living through crises across the globe.
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