What is the Rapid Response Fund (RRF)?

The CEWARN mechanism has developed a primary source early warning capacity, and CEWARN’s five year strategy (2007-2011) articulates how the mechanism intends to link this capacity with an appropriate “response component” in order to proactively and preemptively tackle the scourge of pastoral and related conflicts in the region.

In this regard, CEWARN developed the concept of the Rapid Response Fund (RRF) to help finance projects targeted at preventing, de-escalating or resolving pastoral and related conflicts in the region. The fund is intended to lend the mechanism the necessary flexibility and required capacity to respond to early warning signals and address crises in a timely and appropriate manner.

Objective

The core objective of the Fund is to provide adequate resources for response activities of the CEWARN Mechanism at the local, national and regional/cross-border levels including interventions and support activities that may be necessary for the prevention or peaceful management and resolution of cross-border pastoral and related conflicts.

It is also designed to enable Development partners and IGAD Member States to jointly contribute to CEWARN’s Early Warning and Early Response activities

How it works

CEWARN sees Conflict Early Warning and Response Units (CEWERUs) at the national level as key players in activating the response side of the mechanism and continues to work to make them fully operational in all member states as well as institutionalize their response initiatives in conjunction with their respective local networks and peace committees.

Accordingly, proposals for projects to be financed by the CEWARN Rapid Response Fund will come from local committees or sub-regional peace councils and are submitted through the respective CEWERUs. These projects should focus on limited and immediate support activities and should be targeted towards preventing, de-escalating and/or resolving pastoral conflicts in the IGAD sub-region. They are also required to meet a set of specific criteria set by the CEWARN unit, stakeholders and development partners. The maximum amount of financial support given to a project through the RRF is 50,000USD.

The Rapid Resource Fund is envisaged to support projects such as: dialogue initiatives; immediate support activities for vulnerable pastoralists; improving communities’ access to resources as well as projects relating to capacity building, creating awareness and facilitating collaboration amongst target groups and various stakeholders.

Copyright 2007 CEWARN