20 year anniversary report
Founded
Set up by Guy Hughes in collaboration with Amnesty International, Oxfam and others.
Crisis Action
Together, we protect civilians from conflict
Donate now to protect people from conflict
The catalyst for collective action
Crisis Action is an award-winning, non-governmental organisation that harnesses the power of collective action to prevent conflicts and save lives.
We're at a tipping point
Around the world, men, women and children are being killed, displaced and silenced. Lives are being torn apart while those in power fail to act.
80
80 million forcibly displaced
100
Around 100 civilians die every day
56
Currently 56 active violent conflicts
Conflict and violence have forcibly displaced more than 80 million people and have a global economic impact estimated at over USD 14 trillion annually – equivalent to 10.5% of global GDP. Around 100 civilians die every day in conflicts. Currently, there are 56 active violent conflicts, the highest number since 1945, with new flashpoints emerging every day.
Conflicts affect us all, whether by driving extremism, threatening political stability, disrupting global markets, and exacerbating climate change. None of us are safe unless we are all safe.
But we know that change is possible – because we’ve seen what can happen when people act with courage and purpose.
What we stand for
Our vision is a world where no one fears losing their homes, their loved ones or their lives to war. We believe every life is precious and everyone should be protected.
When the rules of war are ignored, humanity itself is at risk – we stand to defend them before it’s too late.
Under pressure – from voters, civil society, businesses, and other governments- those in power can be compelled to prioritise civilian protection and peace.
Crisis Action was created to build that pressure and unlock earlier, more effective action to prevent conflict and save lives. We work to create a safer, more just, and peaceful world for everyone.
Conflicts where your support is critically needed
20 years of impact
Over the past 20 years, Crisis Action has impacted millions of lives. View key milestones in our history.
2004
Myanmar
EU sanction military figures, stopping the violence.
2007
DRC
UN investigation and imprisonment of key commanders responsible for the mass rape of women and children.
2010
Benghazi, Libya
Unprecedented no-fly zone secured, preventing a massacre.
2011
Syria
With the #WithSyria campaign, UN humanitarian aid convoys reach three million starving Syrians.
2012
Uganda
Lord’s Resistance Army is halted, and casualties fall by 90%.
2012
Central African Republic
Christian and Muslim leaders come together to demand UN peacekeepers, preventing ethnic cleansing.
2013
Yemen
Imminent attack avoided on Hodeidah Port; vital aid reaches tens of millions of people.
2016-19
South Sudan
Illicit supply of money fuelling the war from neighbouring countries is cut off.
2019
Sahel
‘People’s Coalition for the Sahel’ advocates for civilian-led solutions over military approach.
2020-present
Ukraine
Global advocacy to support Ukrainian civil society and bridge geopolitical divides.
2022-2023
Syria
Landmark UN mechanism for over 100,000 missing persons; support for victims, survivors, and families.
2022-2023
Ethiopia
First-of-its-kind monitoring of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, amplifying women’s voices.
2023
IOPT
Global #CeasefireNOW campaign demands ceasefire, the release of hostages and humanitarian access.
2023-present
Sudan
Over EUR 2 billion for humanitarian aid pledged at the Paris Humanitarian Conference, including for local Emergency Response Rooms (ERR).
2024
How we work
Building coalitions for civilian protection
Crisis Action acts as a neutral strategic broker, enabling its extensive global network of people and organisations to combine their strengths, deploy resources most efficiently, and target interventions to de-escalate crises and prevent further violence. We bring together grassroots movements, faith leaders, activists, artists, celebrities, influencers, policymakers, business and world leaders, in coalitions greater than the sum of their parts.
Amplifying voices of communities affected by conflict
Crisis Action partners with local organisations to ensure that their voices – including women, youth, and marginalised communities – help shape policy and peace-making. We open doors, enabling people impacted by conflict to directly influence those with the power and responsibility to protect.
Coordinating high-level advocacy and securing media coverage
Our strategic campaigning pressures governments, galvanises public opinion, and helps generate global support for timely action that saves lives. Crisis Action facilitates engagement with influential policymakers, including heads of state. We enhance local partners’ ‘political weight’ enabling access to critical international decision makers.
Why partner with us
Protect innocent civilians and save lives now
With your help, we convince powerful decisionmakers to act decisively to protect men, women and children threatened by armed conflict.
Support rapid response in emerging crises
The onset of a crisis puts civilians at extreme risk but Crisis Action can have an outsized impact when it can engage quickly before conflicts escalate, thus saving countless lives and preventing human suffering.
Power the many to prevent future conflicts
Crisis Action exists to amplify the impact of others. Support for Crisis Action has a multiplier effect, leveraging exponentially higher value from existing investments in the work of the wide network of partners it convenes.
A 20-year track record
Crisis Action is a trusted partner to funders with an award-winning model, deep networks and a special ability to amplify community voices, building their capacity and ensuring they have a seat at the table.
Support Crisis Action and help save lives now
Despite the rise of violence and the threats to the international system and the norms that keep us all safe, only around 1% of philanthropic funding is invested in peacebuilding.
For every $1 invested, there is a potential $16 reduction in costs related to humanitarian interventions and post conflict efforts.
By supporting Crisis Action, you become a part of a community of committed supporters who contribute to creating a safer, more just and more peaceful world for everyone.
"The most impactful organisation you’ve never heard of"