Communities are safer if they have access to information through which they can be better prepared for emergencies. We consult with communities to understand the risks they face, and design community information packs and manuals that provide life-saving information. We train community leaders to engage locally to share information that can save lives.

Locally, nationally and internationally, Mayday Rescue supports vulnerable communities in the most dangerous and challenging places in the world by training and equipping local groups to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the impact of war, disasters, and emergencies.

In the 21st century, the main threats to global security no longer come from strong states—they come from weak ones. Fragile states that lack effective or legitimate systems of government cause challenges for global peace and stability due to violent conflict, crime, poverty, and humanitarian crises. Traditional approaches to providing stability in these environments take a “security-first” approach that focuses on training armies, police forces and political leaders—but in fragile states, these professions are consistently rated at the bottom of public trust tables.

Mayday Rescue has developed an innovative approach to stabilisation that focuses not on security or politics but rather on fire, rescue, and emergency response, either as a stand-alone activity or as a complementary line of effort to existing stabilisation programming. In contrast to security and political actors, emergency service workers have some of the highest levels of public trust of any profession. By training and equipping teams of local volunteers, Mayday supports the development of community-based networks of rescue workers and first responders. These impartial, non-partisan teams are dedicated to saving lives and strengthening communities because they live amongst the people they serve. They enhance resiliency and human security by protecting civilian populations, which earns them the trust of armed groups, political leaders, international actors, and civil society. Most of all, their presence provides hope for the people they serve.

When this model is applied systematically in insecure environments, it can potentially drive strategic-level improvements in stability.

Our team is an experienced implementing partner and we have successfully designed and delivered projects for the United Kingdom Conflict, Security and Stability Fund, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Kingdom of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Building the capacity of communities through the establishment of rescue and emergency capabilities builds shared value: communities are more resilient and lives are saved. Equipment and training that is provided for emergency response is routinely used to assist local community development by clearing roads, building local infrastructure and conducting essential repairs. By providing these non-emergency services, volunteer teams build public trust and confidence through visible service delivery.