The mission focuses on supporting marginalized communities to address HIV-related human rights challenges, particularly targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBT+) people, sex workers, people living with HIV, and people who use drugs. It aims to safeguard, adapt, and advance HIV-related human rights efforts through emergency support and capacity building.
The Rapid Response Fund aims to provide emergency support to organizations facing new threats or unexpected opportunities in HIV-related human rights work. It offers emergency financial grants, supports capacity strengthening for emergency human rights response, and encourages the documentation and sharing of best practices to influence government and donor decisions. Established in 2016, the fund has distributed $4.3 million USD across over 500 grants in 45 countries, aiding community-led organizations. In 2021, it relaunched with a new model to include more support for partner organizations to manage their own emergency response funds, based on lessons learned from the fund's operations and REAct methodology. Emergency response grants of up to $15,000 USD are available for organizations in 24 countries, focusing on those led by or closely working with marginalized groups affected by HIV.