Search and rescue operation

Advancing Disaster Response.

A humanitarian organisation working to strengthen disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. We exist not to replicate what others do, but to help improve the wider disaster response community through operational capability, collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing.

The Golden 72 Hours.

After a disaster, survival rates collapse fast. Approximately 80% of victims survive within the first 24 hours. Beyond 72 hours, that number drops to under 10%. Time is the ultimate adversary.

Sharing hard-won field knowledge and connecting it with academic research remains a real challenge across the sector. Findings can take years to reach field practitioners, and many teams and NGOs lack access to affordable, high-quality specialist training.

Project 53 aims to close that gap, building the bridge between academic discovery and field practice.

393
Recorded Disasters (2024)
167M+
People Affected Globally
6.3M
UK Properties at Flood Risk
88%
Increase in Highest-Risk Category

Our Operating Principles

Project 53 is built around five integrated areas that reflect our purpose — combining operational credibility, knowledge, human performance, and collaboration to strengthen disaster response.

Operational Capability

Developing and deploying specialist teams to respond to disasters nationally and internationally.

Innovation & Knowledge

Bridging the gap between research, new technologies, and field practice — translating promising ideas into operational benefit.

Human Performance

Developing the decision-making, leadership, teamwork, and resilience that underpin effective performance in high-consequence environments.

Community Resilience

Supporting communities in building preparedness and resilience before disaster strikes.

Collaboration & Networks

Building a global network of responders, organisations, and academics — sharing knowledge openly to strengthen the wider sector.

Core Capabilities

Built for the Field. Backed by Evidence.

We are developing operational capability across a range of disciplines, with a commitment to responsible innovation, continual learning, and sharing good practice that benefits the wider disaster response community.

  • Assessment and Reconnaissance
  • Flood Response
  • Urban Search & Rescue (USAR)
  • Command Support
  • Human Performance Development
Night operation team briefingSARSYS incident mapping and command software
The Standards We Hold

We Are In The Build Phase.

We are a developing charity in the early stages – actively looking to connect with people from emergency services, healthcare, engineering, logistics, academia, and communications who share our values.

P53 ResponseP53 Response
Always in progress. Always improving.
UK Charity in Formation.
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13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6FA