The Transforming Surge Capacity Project, led by ActionAid, was one of 14 projects under the UK Department for International Development’s Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Programme (DEPP).
The project sought to improve surge capacity across the sector by increasing the capacity of surge personnel. The consortium of 11 UK-based humanitarian agencies and two technical partners worked through two national platforms in Pakistan and the Philippines; an Asian regional platform based in Bangkok, Thailand; and a global platform in London, UK.
This short film explains the project.
The final evaluation found that "the project was ambitious, innovative and ultimately very successful in piloting different approaches to surge across the four platforms. The project's achievements include development of collaborative and localised rosters in Pakistan, the Philippines and a regional roster for Asia; a series of pilot projects exploring different ways for more effective surge practices; and developing training and embedding learning aimed improving surge capacity within and beyond project consortium agencies.
"The overarching recommendation is for the Transforming Surge Capacity Project to continue, building on its demonstrated strengths and successes."
Much of the work continues. A consortium of agencies continue to look at opportunities to continue the project as well as sharing learning on surge practice.
If you are a community based, national, international or other organisation working on Surge and are interesting in joining the consortium, please contact the International Humanitarian and Resilience Team at ActionAid International (Humanitarian Systems and Surge Coordinator- Lucy.Blown@actionaid.org).
Please find some of the key information below.