The Charity Commission has announced that charities are other stakeholders have agreed a “collective framework” to manage future responses to disasters that occur in the UK.
The Charity Commission convened a round table discussion last Friday which was attended by 25 charities, umbrella bodies, regulators and digital fundraising platforms. The attendees included the British Red Cross, the Fundraising Regulator, JustGiving and NCVO.
The organisations in attendance at the round table agreed “to the principle” of creating a framework which would allow the sector to better co-ordinate future sector responses to what the Commission called “national critical incidents” – such as terrorist attacks or other nation-wide emergencies.
The round table also agreed to form “a working group to develop the framework and operating principles behind any future disaster response by charities”.
The working group will "work closely with other charities as well as national and local government where required to provide a swift, efficient and impactful response to any future disasters".
Working group in response to last year’s 'tragic events'
The Commission said the creation of this working group was in response to a number of “tragic events” which took place in the UK last year, including the Grenfell Tower fire and numerous terrorist attacks including in Westminster, Manchester, Finsbury Park and London Bridge.
“The group will work closely with other charities as well as national and local government where required to provide a swift, efficient and impactful response to any future disasters,” said the Charity Commission.
David Holdsworth, deputy chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: "Charities by their very nature help people in times of need and the tragic disasters that we’ve seen in the UK over the past year have highlighted the great work charities do to support victims and channel the public’s compassion and generosity. Charities’ experience and expertise, as well as their ties to local communities, often make them best-placed to respond in these situations.
“Advances in technology combined with the consistent sheer generosity of the British public makes it an opportune time for charities to consider how they can work together to maximise their support for UK citizens in times of need."
The full list of attending organisations:
- British Red Cross
- Charity Commission for England & Wales
- Charity Commission Northern Ireland
- City Bridge Trust
- City of London
- Clement James
- Crisis
- Fundraising Regulator
- GoFundMe
- Just Giving
- London Community Foundation
- London Emergencies Trust
- London Funders
- Mind
- Muslim Aid
- National Association for Voluntary Community Action
- National Council for Voluntary Organisations
- National Zakat Foundation
- Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator
- P3
- Rugby Portobello Trust
- Salvation Army
- UK Community Foundations
- Victim Support
- Wales Council for Voluntary Action
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