Case Studies

In 2023, the crises we faced were increasingly unstable and intractable. Millions suffered the consequences of natural disasters, protracted conflicts continued to rise, climate change created new disasters and compounded existing ones, and it became even more difficult to access vulnerable populations living in profound insecurity. Against this backdrop, the need for conflict and humanitarian expertise could not be more dire.  

From earthquakes in Türkiye and north-west Syria, to flooding in Libya and cyclones in Mozambique and Malawi, our UK aid-funded Humanitarian and Stabilisation Operations Team (HSOT) responded to 10 different global crises to meet humanitarian needs and restore stability in fragile and conflict-affected states. 

HSOT provides the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and other government departments with capacity and specialist expertise to effectively respond to disasters, crises, and complex emergencies around the world. HSOT’s goal is to deliver on the UK’s humanitarian and stabilisation priorities by saving lives, alleviating suffering, and maintaining the dignity of people affected by crisis.  

This year, the team was deployed to more than 40 countries and delivered over 100,000 humanitarian relief items with a total value of £25.8M. 

Throughout the year, the team continued providing critical support to Ukraine, including in the aftermath of the Kakhovka dam collapse. In June 2023, the Kakhovka dam in Nova Kakhovka was destroyed, causing flooding in Oleshky, Kardashinka, Gola Prystan, and other villages along the left bank of the Dnipro River, forcing residents to flee, leaving dozens of people missing, and flooding more than 3,000 homes. 

Following the dam collapse, HSOT were tasked by the UK with providing specialist technical equipment to Ukraine’s State Emergency Services to assist with the flood response. 

HSOT moved quickly to identify and source suitable equipment from a wide-ranging list of urgent items requested by the State Emergency Services. Within a day of getting the tasking order, four specialist boats and six bespoke water filters were collected from the FCDO Disaster Response Centre in Kemble, UK, including life jackets, radios, GPS, and a variety of other items required for the boats to be used effectively in search and rescue missions. Having completed almost 120 direct deliveries into Ukraine since the start of the conflict, HSOT took advantage of a well-established supply chain, delivering the first package of boats and water filters within four days of collection from the UK. 

Over the course of a 5-week response, HSOT’s procurement and logistics specialists sourced specialist items, including waders, wastewater pumps, inflatable boats, and water tankers from 115 new suppliers. The water pumps can remove the equivalent of 80 Olympic swimming pools of water per day, whilst each tanker can hold 26-28,000 litres of safe drinking water for the affected communities. 

In Türkiye, Syria, Ukraine, and beyond, HSOT leveraged its impressive network of specialists and supply chains to deliver aid to those who need it most. From safety and security preparations, to restocking and testing supplies and plans, receiving mental health first aid training, and capturing and sharing lessons from past responses, the team’s strategic behind-the-scenes preparedness work is vital.  

Against a backdrop of challenges and uncertainty, HSOT’s drive to constantly adapt, innovate, and improve their work—and the wider sector—has allowed them to maximise positive impact on the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people.  

Because when lives are on the line, responding quickly and effectively can make all the difference.