Role of OCHA in HA/DR Operations

1. Role of OCHA in HA/DR Operations United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Geneva Prepared For: Interhands 2002 29 April 2002 Fred Polk Senior Advisor OCHA (Geneva)

2. United Nations Charter Article 1:The Purposes of the United Nations are: 1. To maintain international peace and security,… 2. To develop friendly relations among nations … 3. To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and 4. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

3. United Nations System General Assembly Security Council Secretariat International Court of Justice Trusteeship Council Economic and Social Council 6 Principal Organs of the United Nations

4. New York UN Headquarters UNDP UNFPA UNICEF Montreal ICAO London IMO The Hague ICJ Bern UPU Vienna IAEA UNIDO ODCCP Rome FAO IFAD WFP Beirut ESCWA Gaza UNRWA Santo Domingo INSTRAW Tokyo UNU Washington IMF World Bank Group IBRD IDA IFC MIGA Bangkok ESCAP Addis Ababa ECA Geneva ECE ILO ITU OHCHR UNCTAD UNHCR WHO WIPO WMO Nairobi UNCHS UNEP Santiago ECLAC United Nations Offices

5. Secretariat OSGOffice for the Secretary General OIOSOffice of Internal Oversight Services OLAOffice of Legal Affairs DPADepartment of Political Affairs DDADepartment for Disarmament Affairs DPKODepartment of Peacekeeping Operations OCHAOffice for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs DESADepartment of Economic and Social Affairs DGAACSDepartment of General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services DPIDepartment of Public Information DMDepartment of Management UNSECOORDOffice for the United Nations Security Coordinator UNOGUnited Nations Office at Geneva UNOVUnited Nations Office at Vienna UNONUnited Nations Office at Nairobi • United Nations programmes and organs (representative list only) • Specialized agencies and other autonomous organizations within the system • Other commissions, committees and ad hoc and related bodies * Not part of the United Nations system although has cooperating arrangements and practices with the Organization

6. “ To mobilize and coordinate the collective efforts of the international community, in particular those of the UN system, to meet in a coherent and timely manner the needs of those exposed to human suffering and material destruction in disasters and emergencies. This involves reducing vulnerability, promoting solutions to root causes and facilitating the smooth transition from relief to rehabilitation and development.” OCHA Mission Statement

7. Office of the USG for Humanitarian Affairs Executive Office IASC - ECHA Unit Policy, Advocacy, Information Division Director - Geneva Response Coordination Branch Policy Development and Advocacy Branch Information Management Services Branch Emergency Liaison Branch Emergency Services Branch Secretariat of ISDR Policy Development Unit Advocacy and External Relations Unit Information Technologies Unit Information Analysis Unit Finance & Administration IASC Liaison Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) New York Geneva New York Geneva

8. Partners in Coordination • The affected population • Local and national government • UN Res. Rep. and UNDMT • MCDA Providers • The United Nations Agencies • National/International NGOs • Donor Governments

9. In response to 68 disasters in 47 countries: launched 28 international appeals issued 216 situation reports recorded over US$ 369 million in cash and in-kind contributions by donors channelled US$ 7 million of contributions dispatched 11 United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) missions mobilized 12 interventions of military and/or civil defence assets shipped 952 metric tonnes of relief goods from OCHA Brindisi warehouse OCHA involvement in natural disasters and environmental emergencies in 2001

10. Europe and the Newly Independent States Americas and Carribean Africa Asia and Pacific Regional Desks

11. The Regional Desks are the core of the RCB response system. The primary function of Regional Desks is the management of the Emergency Response System Regional Desks

12. Regional Teams in Europe, Latin America, Pacific Region and Caribbean System components include: experienced emerg. managers Basic team equipment team deployment procedures training and methodology Support Modules (from 5 member states) The UNDAC System

13. CORE FUNCTIONS  Focal Point in UN System  Requests for MCDA  Oslo Guidelines Process & Field Handbook  UNJLC Interface UN CMCoord TRAINING  12/year  Facilitation of Regional Courses  CIMIC Centres EXERCISES  4/year, 4 regions  Clearing House  From Planning Conferences to Exercise  Incorporation of UN roles CENTRAL REGISTER & ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES MCDU - The Military and Civil Defence Unit

14. MCDU Intensity Military and Civil Defense Assets International Response National Response Reconstruction Time

15. General Principles: Complimentarity Provided in response to request Provided at no cost to receiving state Unarmed, but in national uniforms Predefined legal status DPR 213/3 MCDA OSLO GUIDELINES

16. Operational 24 hours/day, 365 days/year Coordination Centre Emergency Telephone no.: The Duty System (+41-22) 917 20 10

17. www.reliefweb.int OCHA online Emergency Response and Relief Coordination For more information...

18. Summary • OCHA is an office in the UN Secretariat • Primary Locations New York and Geneva • MCDU is one of the primary emergency response tools for major international humanitarian emergencies • OCHA and MCDU are supported by a 24/7 days a week readiness system