Transcript Unified Response Strategy

“A small step is a giant leap”
UNIFIED RESPONSE STRATEGY
Sphere India
WHAT IS URS?

It is an action-based project, of Sphere India,
launched
with
the
rationale
to
build
common
understanding among different stakeholders, for an
organized and coordinated response.
OBJECTIVES OF URS:



To initiate and strengthen inter-agency collaboration in new
states and to ensure the trickle down of the process to the
district level.
To strengthen the existing IAGs at the State and district
levels.
To institutionalize common assessments, common
response planning, and common monitoring & evaluation in the
inter-agency process.

To enhance greater preparedness and quality response by
the humanitarian agencies.

To realize the development of an Emergency Management
Centre.
THE NEED FOR URS?

Avoid duplication

Past experiences and lessons



Equitable distribution of relief
avoid social exclusion
and
Complement Govt. relief efforts
Improve
overall
humanitarian
standards (time and quality of response)
and
promote
360
degree
accountability
STRENGTHENING




INTER-AGENCY PROCESS
Facilitating new IAGs
Strengthening
existing
coalitions/networks
to
be
more inclusive
Training and capacity building
of inter-agency groups.
Experience
sharing
on
collaborative action (Lessons
Learnt Workshops)
Learning:
 Increased interest for coalition
in new states.
 Continued
engagement
through training
ACTIVATION

OF
URS
A.P & Karnataka Floods (Sphere
Coordinators Deployment)


Bihar and West Bengal
Cyclone/Floods (IAG initiating
URS process)
Emergency Meetings
Learning:
 Increased interest for coalition in
new states
 Continued engagement through
training
INTER AGENCY ASSESSMENTS
IA Multi-sectoral assessments
in West Bengal, Bihar Floods.
 Assessment for identification of
advocacy issues.
 Use of common assessment
formats

Learning:
 IAGs owning the process and
initiating the assessments.
PREPAREDNESS
Information on prepositioning of agencies’
stocks – identifying collective
capacity.
 Pre-monsoons preparedness
meetings (state & district levels)
 Humanitarian database

Learning:

Investing
in
district
level
coordination is being considered
as a key component.
PRE-POSITIONING
QUALITY & ACCOUNTABILITY ACTIONS
Sphere Audit in Andhra
Pradesh Floods (Kurnool &
Mahbubnagar Districts)
 Immersion Exercise in Kosi
Basin, Bihar
 Post Cyclone Aila Assessment
in West Bengal

Learning:
 Common
monitoring
is
important to gauge the
progress and identify key
issues of advocacy in the
disaster hit areas.
INTER AGENCY GROUPS
State
Status
Assam
Charter adopted by member agencies in July 2010, Convenor and Interim
Coordinator in place. Plans for GBM in August to formalise relationship with
SDMA and Annual Work Plan.
Bihar
Convenor in place, no Charter yet, plans for re-organisation under
discussion.
Orissa
Charter,Convenor and full time Coordinator with funded Annual Work Plan
West Bengal
Charter, Convenor and full time Coordinator with funded Annual Work Plan
Tamil Nadu
Charter to be adopted in July end. IAG Facilitator in place.
A.P.
Initiated in August 2009. Informal structure to facilitate close collaboration
with AP State GO-NGO Coordination Committee.
State
Status
Karnataka
Interim group formed in January 2010.
Kerala
Interm group formed in February 2010.
Gujarat
IAG initiated following Bhuj earthquake recovery work. Needs
reorganisation after exit of INGOs
J&K
IAG formed in July 2009. Convenor and membership criteria agreed.
UP
Convenor and Coordinator with funded Annual Plan
Rajasthan
Interim Group formed in May 2010. Charter and structure to be finalized by
August 2010
Uttarakhand
Interim Group formed in April 2010. Charter and structure under discussion
and will be finalized shortly.
A.P, Bihar & U.P
Floods
India Drought
Cyclone Bijili
Orissa
South India & U.P
Floods
India Drought
Placement of
Sphere
Coordinators in
Bihar, UP and
Delhi
District Coordination
in Bihar & UP
District Coordination
in Bihar & UP
Piloting district
coordination
Pre-monsoon meetings
in Bihar
Bihar IAG MultiSectoral Assessment
IAG Orissa Cyclone
Assessment
Emergency
coordination in Cyclone
Aila, West Bengal
IEC material on H1N1
IEC Material on
Humanitarian
Ethics
6th Sphere India
Day
Feb
Apr
Jun
District Coordination
Emergency
in Bihar & UP
Coordination in A.P
& Karnataka
Kosi Recovery
IAG A.P Formation Consultations in Bihar
District
Coordination in
Bihar & UP
Aug
URS Lessons Learnt
Workshop
Oct
Dec
2009
Jan
J & K IAG
Formation
Mar
Quality &
Accountability
Workshops
IAG Tamil
Nadu
Formation
May
District Coordination
in Bihar & UP
Pre-monsoon meetings
in Bihar & UP
July
District
Coordination
in Bihar & UP
Sep
District Coordination in
Bihar & UP
District Coordination in
Bihar & UP
Emergency Coordination
in Karnataka
Emergency Coordination
Drought Bulletin
Cyclone Aila, West
Bengal
Nov
in Karnataka
National Strategic
Preparedness Workshop
on Swine Flu
Assam, Bihar & Orissa South India Floods
Floods
H1N1 Pandemic
Orissa
Tornado
Cyclone Aila West
Bengal
Assam Earthquake
Cyclone Phyan
Cyclone Nisha
WAY AHEAD
Strengthening existing and facilitating
new inter-agency groups.
 Facilitating and strengthening district
coordination mechanism.
 Capacity building of agencies.
 Facilitate simulations with IAGs to
strengthen preparedness.
 Strengthen Go-NGO-IAG Interface
