Who is eligible for assistance?
The following women qualify for assistance:
- A woman leader facing or responding to an acute threat*
- Women leaders both inside and outside of the Vital Voices Global Network**
- Women from any region of the world
*Acute threats are immediate and significant disruption to a women leader’s livelihood, life’s work, or personal safety, due to war, civil conflict, climate impacts, natural disasters, online and offline violence or threats, or other similar peril.
**Network women are immediately eligible to qualify for assistance. Non-Network women must first be deemed eligible to join the Vital Voices Global Network.
What types of assistance are covered under the Crisis Response Fund?
The Crisis Response Fund provides small and short-term funding for:
- Legal Assistance directly related to a crisis or recovery
- Mental Health and Well-Being during a crisis and recovery. Funds can be used to secure services in the country or through Vital Voices’ provider.
- Physical Health directly related to a crisis. Funds can be used to cover medical bills, essential medication and other health-related costs. Generally, funding for chronic illnesses is not covered.
- Digital Security for safety or response to an online threat, including disinformation or acts of violence. Funding can be used for training to improve online safety.
- Physical Safety and Security during a crisis and recovery, including security personnel, security cameras, alarms, and more.
- Relocation for in-country or out-of-country costs, directly related to a crisis.
- Livelihood Support for a women leader, her team, and/or organization can sustain continuity in all aspects of their safety and well-being.
What types of assistance are not covered under the Crisis Response Fund?
The Crisis Response Fund does not cover the following expenses:
- Program Related Funding: Funding related to a Vital Voices Fellowship or program
Example: Loss of property occurring during a Vital Voices fellowship or program and covered under Vital Voices Travel Insurance
- Organizational Funding: Funding for organizations/programs
Example: Operational support, grants to support programs
- Funding for Non-Leadership Incidents: Funding incidents not directly related to work or leadership
Example: Funding to cover personal expenses, livelihood or items lost/stolen not related to global/regional conflict or personal activism
How can I reach out to the Crisis Response Team for assistance or refer a woman leader for support?
The easiest way to reach out for assistance or refer a leader for support is to directly reach out to our team at Crisis@vitalvoices.org.
We are committed to responding to you as quickly as possible. The Team will set up call to gather more information to determine how to respond. We provide assistance often within 72 hours but can take longer based on the request.