The Wombats and Everything Everything join first ever emergency response unit

The charity ActionAid today launches the world's first ever emergency music network, backed by music stars including The Wombats, Everything Everything, Chapel Club, Cancer Bats and Radio 1's Huw Stephens. ActionAid Live is a nationwide network of bands, musicians, promoters and venues primed to spring into action and raise funds the next time a humanitarian emergency strikes in one of the world's most vulnerable areas.

Radio 1 DJ and ActionAid ambassador Huw Stephens said: "When an emergency strikes – whether it's an earthquake, flood or tsunami – we all want to do what we can to help. ActionAid Live brings together music fans, bands and promoters in a united effort to save lives both in those vital first few days following a disaster and in the long term.

"I've seen for myself the amazing work ActionAid does, and they're one of the most inspiring charities out there – by raising money for them in an emergency, the money you raise will make the biggest difference possible."

Bands, musicians and promoters can now sign up to ActionAid Live at www.actionaid.org.uk/live to support the humanitarian response during the next big emergency by putting on a fundraising gig – or donating money from an existing show they're already involved with – creating a UK-wide network of events united to raise money and save lives.

ActionAid Live is part of the charity's wider emergency fundraising network, called the Global Emergencies Team. This is a way for every individual – whether they're in a band or not – to get involved in an emergency response: hundreds of people around the country all set to fundraise, whether in their workplace or local community. To find out more about the wider emergency network, visit www.actionaid.org.uk/team.

Bands and promoters can register at www.actionaid.org.uk/live from today and will then be able to access resources including template posters and flyers, guides on how to put on a successful fundraiser and banners and badges for use on their websites and social media spaces. They will also be able to receive updates on ActionAid's humanitarian emergency work and will be among the first to know when the charity is responding to the next disaster.

In an emergency situation:

• £50 could feed an entire family for a fortnight.
• £100 could provide temporary shelter for two families – all critical, lifesaving support in the first days and weeks after an emergency.