Humanitarian access in conflict zones is often delayed by insecurity, bureaucratic restrictions, and damaged infrastructure, leaving affected populations without immediate external assistance. During this critical period, communities frequently rely on their own networks, resources, and leadership to survive. This study introduces the ACCESS Model, a community-led framework designed to guide locally organised humanitarian interventions before a formal institutional response becomes possible. The model identifies six key actions that communities can undertake during crises: Assess, Communicate, Coordinate, Empower, Secure, and Sustain. Using a qualitative synthesis approach, the study draws on documented experiences from five conflict settings: Aleppo in Syria, El Fasher in Sudan, North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gaza, and northeastern Nigeria affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. Through inductive thematic analysis, recurring grassroots strategies were identified and organised into the ACCESS framework. The findings demonstrate that communities often develop effective systems for needs assessment, information sharing, volunteer coordination, local protection, and resource management during periods of restricted humanitarian access. Grounded in Humanitarian Access Theory, Community Resilience Theory, Social Capital Theory, and Collective Action Theory, the ACCESS Model highlights the critical role of local actors in sustaining humanitarian functions. The study recommends the adoption of the model as a capacity-development and preparedness framework for enhancing community-based disaster response and promoting locally led humanitarian action.