Comparison of two aerial views of a rural area. The left side shows damage from a natural disaster, including destroyed buildings, fallen trees, and debris near the water. The right side shows a well-maintained village with small houses, green landscape, and a scenic mountainous backdrop.

Mates in Crisis

Ethical response, recovery, and resilience in times of crisis

Mates in Crisis (MIC) is a dedicated program within Mates Fund designed to support communities affected by climate-driven disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

As climate impacts intensify across the regions we work in, MIC exists to ensure that support can be mobilised responsibly — guided by local leadership, long-term thinking, and ethical decision-making.

Why Mates in Crisis exists

Person walking through floodwaters in a rural area, holding a stick, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.

Too often, disaster response is reactive, short-term, or disconnected from the people most affected.

Mates in Crisis was established to respond differently. Rather than rushing in with pre-determined solutions, MIC prioritises preparedness, recovery, and resilience — supporting communities to respond to crises in ways that align with their needs, capacities, and long-term priorities. This program recognises that meaningful recovery does not end when the immediate emergency passes.

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What Mates in Crisis supports

Mates in Crisis is designed to support a range of needs during and after crisis events, including:

  • emergency and essential supplies

  • short-term recovery support

  • rebuilding and repair of essential infrastructure

  • locally identified resilience and preparedness initiatives

All support is guided by trusted local partners and grounded in what communities identify as most urgent and appropriate.

A young boy sits on an old television amidst debris and trash in a damaged or destroyed outdoor area, with damaged buildings and laundry hanging in the background.

Support for Mates in Crisis helps ensure that communities facing floods, cyclones, and climate-related emergencies can access timely, responsible assistance when it’s needed most.

Donations can be directed specifically to Mates in Crisis or included as part of broader support for Mates Fund’s work.

→ Support Mates in Crisis

→ Learn about our other programs

FAQs

  • Mates in Crisis does not operate as an open-response fund. Decisions to activate MIC support are guided by:

    • direct requests from trusted community partners

    • verified need and local capacity

    • the ability to deliver support safely and responsibly

    • alignment with Mates Fund’s values and principles

    This approach ensures that support is ethical, targeted, and accountable — rather than symbolic or performative.

  • As with all Mates Fund programs, Mates in Crisis operates with a strong commitment to transparency.

    Funds are allocated intentionally, documented clearly, and used only for crisis response and recovery-related needs. Mates Fund remains 100% volunteer-run, and donations are not used to cover staff salaries, travel, or business expenses.

    Supporters are kept informed about when and how MIC funds are activated.

  • Mates in Crisis is not about one-off relief alone.

    Where possible, the program supports initiatives that strengthen long-term resilience — helping communities prepare for future events, reduce vulnerability, and recover in ways that are sustainable and locally led.

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