Disaster Recovery Funding

Infrastructure and investment, from economic development, climate financing, health and sustainability to housing are critical in conflict areas. But humanitarians lack the resources to execute such large-scale projects, and investors lack experience in delivering projects in humanitarian settings. We need a new way forward.   Enter the Advisory Model for Investor + Humanitarian Partnerships, developed by Airbel Impact Lab at the IRC in partnership with DG ECHO. This is a transformational model for #InnovativeFinance, leveraging #humanitarian expertise to scale the impact of investments. In collaboration with partners like DG ECHO at the European Commission, EBRD, Flat6Labs and others, we’re piloting solutions for more inclusive infrastructure.   By tapping humanitarians as consultants, and leveraging investment expertise for humanitarian goals, the Advisory Model is a powerful approach to enhance the social impact of investments in conflict zones.  These partnerships can take a wide variety of shapes and approaches – 
the key is that institutions across sectors need to try, build, and scale them.   Download our new Advisory Model Partnership Playbook here, and learn more about how humanitarians and investors are partnering for impact. https://lnkd.in/gCW3mk-w

𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗚: The biggest spender on US climate disasters isn’t the insurance sector. It’s the federal Government and insurance is struggling to match the scale of the challenge. Since the year 2000, roughly $ 6.7 trillion has been spent on climate-related disasters, and a whopping $18.5 trillion on the full cost of disasters and recovery. The US dominates in what it spends on climate damages globally, representing 41% of global climate-related disaster spending. Another concerning trend is that these costs are accelerating. Bloomberg notes that US climate-related spending linked to disasters has now reached a new record. Over the last 12 months, economic damages from climate-related events have soared to just under $1 trillion. This represents around 3.3% of total US GDP, a hidden  'stealth tax' on taxpayers and consumers. Which means we are already forking out billions because of climate change. The data reveals that disaster costs in the US have almost doubled in the last decade compared to the previous decade. In the 2010s, climate disasters cost the US around $100 billion/year. This decade, the cost was closer to $200 billion. The insurance sector has failed to keep pace. Despite best efforts to increase coverage, the insurance sector is faltering. Bloomberg data shows that in the early 2000s, the total share of government-funded climate-related spending was around 11% of the total. Today, the share of government-funded climate disaster relief is now closer to 38% (see chart below). Today, one-third of the US economic expansion is being fueled by disaster response funded by taxpayers. Meanwhile, insurance premiums are soaring, and millions of Americans are losing access to affordable insurance. As premiums increase, this also contributes to inflation. 𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 The US government has shifted from being the insurer of last resort to being the main financier of disaster recovery. We need to take a hard look at how climate risk is shared, priced, and planned for. We need to reconsider the playbook for risk-sharing and resilience financing. Here are my recommendations: First, policymakers should integrate insurance-based incentives for proactive resilience, mandating premium discounts for adaptation measures (mirroring OECD best practices). Second, a public-private reinsurance facility backed by granular, location-specific climate data could stabilise the market. Finally, tying future disaster aid to mandatory resilience upgrades, such as stronger building standards or floodproofing, would pivot federal spending from recovery to prevention. How do you think we build a system where risk is distributed fairly and resilience is rewarded? Source: https://lnkd.in/egkyFhpQ #ClimateEconomy #DisasterSpending #InsuranceCrisis #ClimateRisk #USPolicy #TaxpayerBurden #Adaptation ___________ 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘥𝘐𝘯: Scott Kelly

#Mobilizing_Hope: Leveraging #Mobile Payments for Sudan's Humanitarian Cash Assistance The #war that broke out in April 2023 has created mounting challenges when it comes to delivering #financial_aid in large scale and to households and individuals who have been displaced and have lost their jobs. The latest #FAO report reveals that 42% of Sudan's 46 mn people are experiencing a crisis-level of #food_insecurity, with 1 in every 3 children facing IPC phase 3 or higher. In West Darfur 62% of the pop’n is highly food insecure. Given this dire situation, civil society orgs and UNHCR have jointly appealed for $1 bn to provide essential aid. However, our estimates indicate that #humanitarian needs may reach $5 bn. To tackle these challenges, Mobile Payments (#MP) is as an effective option to deliver #cash_transfers, given that use of mobile phones in Sudan is very high. According to data from #GSMA, as of the beginning of 2022 there were 35 mn mobile subscribers. MP can help rural pop’n gain access to gov’ #cash_transfer programs without traveling long distances, or even having a bank account. #Sudan’s has one of the lowest levels of #financial_inclusion in SSA, with only 15.3 percent of adults having a financial account. In most cases, effectively delivering income support to the vulnerable most requires a reliable national #ID system that is connected to socioeconomic data. The absence of such a system is causing growing difficulties in accurately targeting eligible beneficiaries, especially for programs like SFSP (ثمرات) Somalia's experience with mobile cash transfers for #humanitarian_assistance underscores the importance of leveraging technology to efficiently deliver aid to those in need during hard times. To establish robust #safetynets using MP during wartime, it's essential to relax regulatory constraints imposed by the CBOS. In 2020, the #CBOS shifted from a centralized to a decentralized MP model following the issuance of licensing requirements for payment companies. These changes enabled MNOs to license their payment operators, along with smaller payment firms and #fintechs. A swift response in reducing restrictions would be highly beneficial for MP platforms, opening opportunities for #SMEs and #startups to engage in digital financial services. #MP_Transfers Save Money and Save Lives: We propose that aid distribution be handled by MNOs in collaboration with CBOS based on beneficiary statistics. MNOs would then use their #MP_systems to transfer aid to beneficiary accounts (#SVAs). Thid would allow them to manage their accounts through #MNOs agents or use the funds for transactions with merchants in various regions. It’s crucial to avail #interoperability services b/w MP systems within the country. This enables efficient and effective transfers, purchases, and sales for beneficiaries with access to merchants in these MP systems. Please take a look at the attached screenshot titled “IMF Holistic Approach for MP system”

🚨 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗨𝗣 (𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗧𝗪𝗢) 🚨 It’s been 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 since the U.S. aid cuts sent shockwaves through the global development sector. And while some funders are still on mute, others are 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁—with urgency, scale, and solidarity. We're just coming out of Skoll World Forum. Here's what Im seeing/hearing (with links). 💙 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗪𝗛𝗢’𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧: 🌍 Skoll Foundation – Created a $25M Emergency Fund, boosting its annual giving by 30%. A direct response to U.S. foreign aid cuts. 🛡️ Borealis Philanthropy – Rolled out the SAFE Initiative: $2M in rapid response grants for legal defense and digital/physical security. Contributors include MacArthur, Ford, and Freedom Together—with a $5M target. 🏳️🌈 Global Philanthropy Project – Their “Our Futures” campaign has raised $107M of a $150M goal to fund LGBTI movements, with 32 funders already in. 🥣 Gates Foundation – Committed $750M to maternal and child nutrition globally over four years. 🍼 Jackie & Miguel Bezos – Donated $500M to the UNICEF-led Child Nutrition Fund. One of the largest gifts ever in this space. 🥗 Rockefeller Foundation – Investing $100M to improve meals for 100 million children across 12+ countries. 💊 Eleanor Crook Foundation – Pledged up to $50M to ensure pregnant women access life-saving micronutrient supplements. 🌾 Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) – Targeting $400M in new nutrition commitments by 2028. 🌿 Kirk Humanitarian – Committed $125M for prenatal supplements for women during pregnancy. 🏙️ Boston Foundation – Launched a $2M Safety Net Grants round to support local nonprofits on the frontlines of economic vulnerability. 🇳🇴 Government of Norway – Pledged 300M NOK (~$28.5M USD) to support gender-based violence response and urgent humanitarian needs via the UN. 🧭 MacArthur Foundation – Worth remembering: MacArthur was one of the first to act, raising its payout from 5% to 6%—unlocking an additional $150M in grants. Now also backing rapid response work through Borealis. A strong example of both early action and sustained follow-through. ✊ These aren’t just numbers. They’re a lifeline. I've included links to articles with more information for each in a comment below. 💡 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: The landscape is shifting. The needs are multiplying. Here's to hoping more follow suit. 🗣️ 𝗧𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁? 💬 Have you seen other major funding announcements we missed? Drop them below. Let’s keep building the list. Let’s keep telling this story. Sharing is CARING. 💙

When more than 1,100 NSF-backed research projects were canceled in a matter of weeks, the collapse of American education research seemed possible. Imagine spending years building a research program to train rural STEM teachers—only to have your funding wiped out by a short email. That was reality in recent weeks for researchers across the U.S. Projects shut down. Labs closed. Data lost. Grad students left unpaid and uncertain. But just as the lights were about to go out, four private foundations stepped up. Spencer Foundation, Kapor Foundation, William T. Grant Foundation, and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation launched a rare and transformative solution: The Rapid Response Bridge Funding Program. It delivers $25,000 microgrants—fast. No red tape. No months-long reviews. Just the runway researchers need to protect data, complete studies, and uphold commitments to schools and communities. These aren’t just grants—they’re lifelines for projects and early-stage researchers. And they’re doing what federal systems couldn’t: preserving innovation, protecting early-career scholars, and ensuring that education R&D doesn’t become collateral damage impacted by political polarization. The projects affected were meaningful. They included AI-powered math tutors, rural computer science teacher training, and community college data science programs—work that expands opportunity, narrows gaps, and prepares our future workforce. This $25K effort is a masterclass in emergency problem-solving, and a warning shot for anyone who believes science and merit in R&D should be immune to partisan shifts. But let’s be clear: this isn’t sustainable. Philanthropy can move fast—but it can’t fill billion-dollar federal gaps. This is a stopgap, not a system. Still, this inflection point—and the speed of the response—shows what’s possible when institutions prioritize science, innovation, and prosperity over politics. It reminds us that resilience doesn’t always require massive budgets—just fast, focused, human-centered action. My latest article reflects on this unprecedented rescue—and what must come next. Read the article and share your reflections about this effort. #STEM #RDFunding #BridgeGrants #PublicGood #EducationResearch #Innovation #Philanthropy

From USAID to USAIHA: what’s changing — and what comes next? 🇺🇸 This week, official memos from the US Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) confirmed a major reorganisation of US foreign assistance. USAID is set to be replaced by a new body: the United States Agency for International Humanitarian Assistance (USAIHA). Key figures shared as of 21 March 2025: • 5,341 programmes terminated since January ✂️ • $75.9 billion in closed programme value • $27.7 billion in unobligated funds returned • 898 programmes remain active — mostly in emergency food assistance and global health 🍚💉 • 869 staff are on active duty, while 3,848 are currently on administrative leave • 1,602 are expected to be laid off by May Nearly all funding has been cut in: • Basic education • Civil society • Conflict mitigation • Family planning • Good governance • Higher education • Infrastructure • Political consensus building • Private sector development • Trade and investment 47 countries will see programme funding almost entirely withdrawn 🌍 The reorganisation introduces three main pillars: 1. USAIHA will focus on humanitarian assistance, disaster response, food security, and global health — aligned with US strategic priorities 🛟 2. The US International Development Finance Corporation will absorb both the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the US Trade and Development Agency, aligning development finance with infrastructure, energy, and private investment 💼 3. The US Department of State will manage politically oriented programming — including democracy, governance, and rights-based work 🏛️ A new analysis from the Center for Global Development suggests that Ukraine, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Colombia may face the largest absolute reductions — while Liberia, Palestine, and Somalia could see the most significant cuts relative to Gross National Income. I’ll share the link to that analysis in the comments ⬇️ This raises important questions for others in the system: • What role will philanthropy play in addressing the gaps now left? • How might private sector investment align with long-term, locally led priorities? • How can multilateral and bilateral donors respond — especially in areas now significantly defunded? The landscape is shifting. So too are the responsibilities. #education #sdg4 #transformingeducation #development #foreignaid #globalgovernance

In a world increasingly shaped by #conflict, #displacement, and #disruption, the role of #humanitarian institutions is becoming central to global resilience. A new term is quietly gaining traction: PPPP – Public, Private, and Philanthropy Partnerships. This emerging model recognizes that no single sector can address today’s complex humanitarian challenges alone. We’ve seen this model succeed globally: • In #Ukraine, where philanthropic funds and tech companies have complemented government aid in real time. • In #Ghana and #Rwanda, where vaccine distribution was accelerated through collaborations between governments, philanthropic funds, and private logistics players like Zipline and DHL. • In #Turkey and #Syria, where earthquake relief was driven by a mix of public funding, private logistics, and global donations. Now, the GCC is entering this space in a more structured way, and not just through donations. The region is preparing to fill a humanitarian and NGO gap that traditional players like USAID and DFID have left behind. Both the #UAE and #KSA are already setting the tone: • UAE’s Dubai International Humanitarian City is the largest global logistics hub for humanitarian aid. • KSA’s KSrelief is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most active humanitarian donors. • New regional partnerships are emerging that combine private sector innovation with philanthropic capital and government coordination. In this turbulent global context, the GCC is becoming an essential power in the humanitarian ecosystems. And with this comes both responsibility and opportunity: to build more inclusive, localized, and future-ready responses to global crises. #PPPP #MiddleEastLeadership #Sustainability #Philanthropy #GlobalResilience #CenterForSustainableFuture Rudolph Lohmeyer Beth Bovis Valentin Lavaill Maha Al Horr Kearney Kearney Middle East and Africa

What happens after disaster: Why I’m excited about Climate Resilience Loans I just sat down for tea with my family in Altadena—they’ve lived here for years, but after the fires, they’re facing impossible questions: 🔥 Will our home still be worth anything? 🔥 Can we even get insurance next year? 🔥 Do we have to leave? I obviously don’t have all the answer, but I am excited about financial innovations that will accelerate after this disaster. Enter: Resilience-Focused Loans. Financing to Build Back Smarter Right now, if your home burns down, you have three bad options: 1️⃣ Rebuild the same way and risk losing everything again. 2️⃣ Sell at a loss (if you can even find a buyer). 3️⃣ Struggle to get financing because lenders see your home as too risky. Resilience loans change this. They offer better financing terms for homeowners who rebuild or retrofit their homes to withstand future disasters. Instead of just replacing what was lost, they fund the transition to safer, more insurable homes. 🏡 Fire-resistant materials (metal roofs, ember-resistant vents, non-flammable landscaping) 🌊 Flood protection (elevating homes, improved drainage) 🌪 Hurricane-proofing (impact-resistant windows, stronger foundations) ⚡ Energy resilience (solar, battery storage, heat pumps) The best part? It’s not just about safety—it’s about financial security. ✅ Homes built to be resilient hold their value instead of becoming uninsurable. ✅ Fire-resistant upgrades can cut insurance costs by up to 50% in high-risk zones. ✅ Every $1 spent on resilience saves $6 in future disaster recovery costs. The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters for Everyone Right now, we finance disaster recovery—but we don’t finance resilience. That needs to change. If we don’t rethink how we lend, insure, and invest in homes, entire communities will be abandoned to climate risk. Families will be forced to leave, not because of fire, but because their homes become financial liabilities. What if, instead of just paying for the next disaster, we funded a future where homes could survive it? This is why I’m excited about resilience-focused loans. It’s the kind of financial innovation we need to turn climate risk into climate resilience. Are you seeing innovations like this that could be helpful? #ClimateResilience #FinanceForGood #ResilienceLoans #Wildfires #HomeInsurance #Altadena #climatefinance Ashby Monk Mandi Ainslie Hunter Maats Andy Boyum Brooks DiPaula Caleb Neumeyer

40% of wildfire insurance claims are underpaid—what does that mean for LA wildfire victims? Imagine losing everything, only to find out your insurance payout won’t even cover the cost to rebuild. For many wildfire survivors, this is the harsh reality. On average, homeowners only get 72% of what they’re legally entitled to, leaving a gap of $200K-$300K to rebuild their lives. It’s not just the money—it’s the painstaking back-and-forth with insurers, the stress of providing documentation that may have literally turned to ash, and the realization that your policy might not stretch far enough. From price increases of coverage by lobbying to non-renewals to configuring emergency funds - it’s tough now. If you’re dealing with this right now, here are some steps to take to protect yourself and maximize your recovery:
- Know Your policy Inside-Out: Ask your insurer to break down exactly what’s covered—and what isn’t. Push back on vague answers. Look at your declaration page to know what’s covered and ask questions. 
- Get everything in writing: Phone calls are fine for quick updates, but always follow up with an email to create a paper trail.
-Don’t rush to settle: Insurers may try to pressure you into a quick payout. Take your time to review and, if necessary, bring in a claims advocate or attorney to fight for what you’re owed. Insurance claims and coverage has been interesting to say the least. It’s good to know your options. If you’re waiting and need help now, here are other options to explore: * Tap your 401(k): If you’re in a federally declared disaster area, you may qualify for penalty-free withdrawals. This can help with immediate costs while you work on rebuilding. Just keep in mind you’ll owe income tax unless you pay it back within three years. * Banks & creditors: Many have disaster relief programs—ask about deferred payments or waived fees. Know your terms and conditions. * Utility relief: Some companies offer temporary assistance to keep your lights on or your water running. * Mortgage help: Forbearance or deferral programs could give you breathing room while you recover. Most of us don’t have tens of thousands of dollars ready to go when disaster strikes. And that’s okay—what matters is knowing your resources and how to use them. Preparation isn’t about perfection; it’s about knowing where to turn when things go sideways. #personalfinance #insurance #californiawildfires

In Southern Africa, climate risk financing is helping build resilience to shocks. These innovative solutions need to be scaled up. When El Niño triggered one of the worst droughts on record, threatening the region’s food security, the World Food Programme and partners stepped in with climate-sensitive financing to activate early response and minimize the impact on lives and livelihoods. Here are some of the key lessons learned: ◾ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼-𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: smallholder farmers were supported through financial services such as insurance, savings and loans. For example, in Malawi, more than 52,000 farmers received microinsurance payouts, totalling $1.27 million. ◾ 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼-𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 to support governments and partners through the Arc Replica programme, which triggered disbursements in Zambia and Zimbabwe to fund early response and recovery. These cost-effective solutions allowed a quick response and facilitated a stronger recovery. However, the scale of need far exceeds available resources. As the climate crisis worsens, scaling up and diversifying these mechanisms is essential to protect more lives and livelihoods. Climate risk management can mitigate the worst impacts of climate-related disasters while empowering communities and governments to build resilience. It's time to invest in these solutions and replicate them globally. #ClimateAction #RiskFinancing #ElNiño #ClimateStories 🔗 More on the lessons learned from World Food Programme Southern Africa : https://lnkd.in/dBKaMiqE