The Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund

The Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF) responds to smaller-scale, rapid-onset crises where there are unmet humanitarian needs. The fund enables Humanitarian Coalition members to respond quickly to provide assistance, such as:

• emergency food
• water
• sanitation and hygiene,
• emergency health care
• shelter

Providing humanitarian assistance to the people who need it

The suffering of people caught up in a smaller-scale, sudden onset disaster is just as serious as a larger-scale disaster. However, these localized crises do not always make it to international news screens.

The CHAF ensures that funds are allocated quickly to the member of the Humanitarian Coalition that is best placed to respond to a given disaster. Combined, the members of the Humanitarian Coalition (Canadian Lutheran World Relief, CARE Canada, Islamic Relief Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada) are present in over 154 countries worldwide. When local disasters occur, members of local agencies can provide rapid and appropriate responses resulting from:

• Their local knowledge
• Their community-level relationships
• The program capacity.

Timely assistance during the initial emergency phase

During an 18-month pilot phase, between April 2014 and September 2015, the CHAF provided $2.5 million to 8 responses to smaller-scale disasters. In September 2015, Global Affairs Canada made a three-year, $9.5 million commitment to the CHAF.  Disasters that the CHAF responded to during the pilot phase included:

• Iraq: hygiene products, education and child protection were provided for displaced people
• Democratic Republic of Congo: food, household items and protection were provided for displaced people
• Cameroon: improved nutrition for people displaced by violence
• Niger: food, water, sanitation and hygiene for people displaced by violence;
• Nepal: food and livelihood support for those affected by flooding and landslides
• Bangladesh: water, sanitation and livelihood support for those affected by flooding
• Turkey: shelter, water and sanitation support for the surge in refugees from Syria
• India: water and sanitation for those affected by Category 4 typhoon in coastal regions

Project funding allocated through the CHAF for any single project ranges from $100,000 to $350,000, and project implementation periods are typically 4-6 months.

Current emergency operations

October 2020

Mali - Displaced Populations

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $70,000 has been made to support Islamic Relief Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 6,000 people for six months in response to the needs of displaced populations in Mali. The operation will focus on improving access to safe water, as well as hygiene and health promotion activities.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

September 2020

Sudan - Floods

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $297,500 has been made to support Islamic Relief Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 25,000 people for 6 months in response to flooding in West Kordofan, Sudan. The operation will focus on providing emergency shelter, core relief items and improving water, sanitation, and hygiene among flood-affected households.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

June 2020

El Salvador – Tropical Storm Amanda and Tropical Depression Cristobal

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $297,500 has been made to support PLAN International in providing immediate assistance to approximately 6,000 people for four months in response to Tropical Storms Amanda and Cristobal. The operation will focus on the provision of health kits, safe drinking water, basic household items, as well as kitchen and shelter kits to support up to 1,220 vulnerable and crisis-affected families.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

May 2020

Uganda - Floods

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $299,000 has been made to support Save the Children Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 8,000 people for five months in response to flooding caused by intense seasonal rains. The operation will focus on increasing access to safe water and sanitation amongst affected populations to prevent the spread of disease.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

April 2020

Vanuatu – Tropical Cyclone Harold

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $212,500 has been made to support World Vision in providing immediate assistance to approximately 6,035 people for six months in response to Tropical Cyclone Harold. The operation will focus on the provision of emergency water, sanitation and hygiene services, health supplies, and logistical support in order to address the humanitarian impacts of the cyclone.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

February 2020

Pakistan – Cold Weather and Heavy Snowfall

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $350,000 has been made to support Islamic Relief Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 44,400 people for four months in response to heavy snowfall in Balochistan province. The operation will focus on the provision of multipurpose cash grants, hygiene supplies, and lifesaving medicine to those affected by the disaster.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

Past emergency operations

December 2019

Philippines – Typhoon Kammuri

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $306,850 has been made to support CARE Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 7,750 people for four months in response to Typhoon Kammuri. The operation will focus on the provision of emergency multi-purpose cash assistance as well as water and sanitation services, and hygiene kits.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website

November 2019

Philippines - Earthquakes

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $297,500 has been made to support Plan International Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 15,000 people for four months in response to Cotabato Earthquakes. The operation will focus on the provision of multi-purpose cash and water, sanitation and hygiene services.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

October 2019

Floods– Ghana

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $255,000 has been made to support CARE Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 6,000 people for 5 months in response to the recent floods in the Upper East region of Ghana. The operation will focus on the distribution of cash and hygiene and dignity kits to vulnerable households affected by the floods, as well as on community sensitization on appropriate hygiene and sanitation practices. 

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

September 2019

Mali – Floods

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $297,500 has been made to support Islamic Relief Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 7,260 people for 5 months in response to the recent floods in Mali. The operation will focus on the distribution of essential household items provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to vulnerable people affected by floods in the region of Nara. 

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

July 2019

Bangladesh and Floods

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $299,000 has been made to support Islamic Relief Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 10,800 people for 4 months in response to monsoon related flooding. The operation will focus on the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and livelihoods support.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

May 2019

India – Cyclone Fani  

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $297,500 has been made to support Islamic Relief Canada in providing immediate assistance in India to approximately 9,900 people for 3 months in response to Cyclone Fani. The operation will focus on providing shelter and water, sanitation, and hygiene services. 

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

Mozambique – Tropical Cyclone Kenneth

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $299,000 has been made to support Save the Children Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 40,000 people for four months in response to Tropical Cyclone Kenneth. The operation will focus on the provision of emergency shelter and water and sanitation assistance to address the immediate life-saving needs of people displaced or otherwise affected by Tropical Cyclone Kenneth.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

April 2019

Afghanistan - Floods

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $260,000 has been made to support Oxfam Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 5,730 people for four months in response to severe flooding in Herat province, Afghanistan. The operation will focus on the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services, multipurpose cash and protection services, including a gender-based violence response.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

March 2019

Malawi – Tropical Cyclone Idai

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $297,500 has been made to support CARE Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 15,000 people for four months in response to Tropical Cyclone Idai in Malawi. The operation will provide safe water and sanitation and shelter to Malawians displaced or affected by the cyclone.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

Malawi – Tropical Cyclone Idai

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $297,500 has been made to support Plan Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 11,000 people for four months in response to Tropical Cyclone Idai in Malawi. The operation will provide safe water and sanitation and shelter to Malawians displaced or affected by the cyclone.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Humanitarian Coalition website.

Mozambique – Tropical Cyclone Idai 

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $595,000 has been made to support Oxfam Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 75,000 people for six months in response to Tropical Cyclone Idai in Mozambique. The operation will be delivered by COSACA, a decade-old consortium comprised of Oxfam, CARE, and Save the Children, leveraging each organization’s unique expertise and experience. Support to COSACA will provide safe water and sanitation, emergency shelter, and protection for Mozambicans displaced or affected by the cyclone. 

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, consult the Humanitarian Coalition.

February 2019

Cuba - Tornado 

Through the CHAF, an allocation of $297,500 has been made to support Oxfam Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 3,400 people for 6 months in response to the tornado that struck Havana, Cuba. The operation will focus on the provision of shelter kits, water, sanitation and hygiene support.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund website.

May 2018

Somalia – Tropical Storm Sagar

Through the CHAF, an allocation of $208,750 has been made to support Save the Children International in providing immediate assistance to approximately 21,000 people for 6 months in response to severe flooding resulting from the impact of Tropical Storm Sagar on the Awdal region of northern Somalia. The operation will focus on the provision of safe water, adequate sanitation facilities, and essential hygiene supplies and knowledge.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund website.

Ethiopia – Flooding

Through the CHAF, an allocation of $292,500 has been made to support Islamic Relief Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 15,000 people for 6 months in response to flooding. The operation will focus on water, sanitation and hygiene, livelihoods and protections services.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund website.

April 2018

Fiji – Tropical Cyclone Keni

Through the CHAF, an allocation of $172,500 has been made to support Oxfam Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 4,930 people for 6 months in response to Tropical Cyclone Keni. The operation will focus on the provision of emergency water, sanitation and hygiene support, as well as food and cash assistance.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund website.

March 2018

Papua New Guinea – Earthquake

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $307,500 has been made to support CARE Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 12,150 people for 6 months in response to an earthquake. The operation will focus on the provision of critical health, hygiene and protection services, safer schools and emergency shelter support.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund website.

February 2018

Tonga – Cyclone Gita

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $127,500 has been made to support Oxfam Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 10,704 people for 4 months in response to Cyclone Gita. The operation will focus on the provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene assistance to help reduce the risk of water and vector-borne disease.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund website.

January 2018

Uganda - Population Movement 

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $225,000 has been made to support Save the Children Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 3,350 people for 6 months in response to an influx into Uganda of refugees fleeing increased conflict in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. The operation will focus on the protection of vulnerable children through the establishment of child-friendly spaces and the provision of psychosocial support. 

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund website.

Philippines – Typhoon Urduja (Kai-tak)

Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF), an allocation of $189,000 has been made to support Oxfam Canada in providing immediate assistance to approximately 10,000 people for 6 months in response to Typhoon Urduja (Kai-tak). The operation will focus on the provision of clean and safe water, hygiene items and shelter support, as well as cash grants.

For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund website.