The CER Rapid Response Fund
Funding in place before the crisis hits. The CER Rapid Response Fund keeps our cultural ambulance ready to act, so local partners can protect heritage at risk within 24 to 72 hours.
Join the FundResponding to Climate Risks
Types of Heritage Rescued Since 2025
Every minute matters in a crisis
As conflicts and disasters increase, cultural heritage is increasingly at risk. Deliberate destruction of heritage has become a tactic in warfare, with devastating consequences for community identity and cohesion. On top of that, climate-related disasters now threaten 1 in 6 cultural heritage sites globally.
Cultural heritage can be damaged, destroyed, looted, or lost before funding can be mobilised.
The CER Rapid Response Fund changes that. By securing flexible funding in advance, we can release support within 24 to 72 hours.
Protecting cultural heritage is about people
Cultural heritage is about people, identity, memory, and belonging. In times of crisis, it can provide a sense of continuity, strengthen connections to community and history, and support recovery. Protecting cultural heritage helps keep knowledge, stories, and traditions alive for future generations.
Where we are responding now
Sri Lanka
Cyclone Ditwah damaged over 210,000 records, including historic colonial archives and vital land, court and administrative files still used daily for public services and legal matters today.
Palestine
An airstrike destroyed the Gaza City building housing Eyes on Heritage’s archive, burying rare books, Ottoman-era manuscripts, photographs and periodicals under debris. Around 60% may still be salvageable.
Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa severely damaged St. John’s Anglican Parish Church, leaving parts at risk of collapse. Emergency works are stabilising the tower, belfry, and remaining historic fabric.
Pakistan
Flash floods inundated Buner’s historic Pir Baba Mosque with water and silt, damaging its structure and heritage features. Emergency stabilisation, conservation, and preparedness are now underway.
India
Heavy rainfall damaged Leh Old Town’s historic White Maitreya Temple, Goji House, and Abagun House, prompting urgent waterproofing and documentation to protect this significant heritage cluster.
Ukraine
Ongoing Russian attacks threaten museum collections across Kharkiv. An emergency intervention is evacuating objects from 12 museums, with packing materials and transport to safer locations.
Ethiopia
Gunda Gundo Monastery’s 200+ historic manuscripts face water, pest, and storage risks. An emergency assessment and training programme will guide conservation and strengthen local capacity.
How the Fund works
Funding is ready
Resources are in place before crisis strikes.
A crisis strikes
Cultural heritage faces immediate risk.
Local needs identified
Trusted partners assess priorities & shape response.
Cultural ambulance activated
CER reviews plans & releases funding within 24-72 hours.
Culture is saved!
Local partners carry out urgent first-aid.
By supporting the CER Rapid Response Fund, you join a global network of heritage supporters built over more than 20 years of cultural emergency response.
Founding partners
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