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:

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:

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:

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.

Past emergency operations

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.

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