UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

World Meteorological Organization – EGM – November 2008

Humanitarian Reform and Disaster Risk Reduction

Charlotta Benedek

Emergency Preparedness Section, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Geneva

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

TABLE OF CONTENT

I Humanitarian Reform II HFA - Priority 2 and Priority 5 III How does Reform support HFA?

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

Humanitarian Reform

Humanitarian reform seeks to improve the effectiveness of response by ensuring greater predictability, accountability, country level coordination and partnerships . It is an effort by the international humanitarian community to reach more beneficiaries, with more comprehensive needs-based relief and protection, in a more effective and timely manner

Pillars of the reform



Predictable response (“cluster approach”)



Predictable funding (CERF)



Strengthened partnerships with NGOs, private sector, civil society



Strengthened country level coordination (through RC’s/HC’s)

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

Humanitarian Reform – Predictable Response

What is the same from previous ways of working?

• Governments are still responsible for leading the response (GA Res 46/182) • When international assistance is required, UN RC/HC still coordinates the

international response in support of government response What is different from previous ways of working?

• • • • • • •

For the first time, clear, agreed focal points for every area of humanitarian work Governments now have clearer, more predictable sectoral counterparts Each area “led” by a designated organization, with a terms of reference Terms of Reference sets the standard for coordinated response and accountability NGO/Red Cross partners fully included in decision-making and planning Access to global resources: stockpiles, technical expertise, tools, standards Provider of last resort: leads have agreed to fill gaps

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

Humanitarian Reform – Predictable Response

5.

6.

7.

8.

Cluster/Sector Working Group 1.

Agriculture 2.

Camp Coordination & Camp Mgmt 3.

4.

Early Recovery Education Emergency Shelter Emergency Telecomms Health Logistics 9.

10.

11.

Nutrition Protection Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Global Cluster Leads FAO UNHCR & IOM UNDP UNICEF & Save the Children UNHCR & IFRC (Convenor) OCHA (UNICEF & WFP) WHO WFP UNICEF UNHCR UNICEF

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

Humanitarian Reform – Predictable Response

Responsibilities of global cluster leads Normative

•Standard setting and consolidation of ‘best practice’

Build response capacity

•Training and system development at local, regional and international levels •Surge capacity and standby rosters •Material stockpiles

Operational Support

•Emergency preparedness •Advocacy and resource mobilization

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

Humanitarian Reform – Predictable Response

Responsibilities of field-based cluster leads

•

Inclusion of key humanitarian partners

•

Appropriate coordination mechanisms

•

Coordination with national/local authorities, local civil society etc.

•

Participatory and community-based approaches

•

Attention to priority cross-cutting issues

•

Needs assessment and analysis

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

Hyogo Framework for Action

Priorities for action 1

. Policies and governance: ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and local

priority with strong institutional basis for implementation.

2

.

Risk identification

: identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early

warning.

3

. Knowledge: use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and

resilience at all levels.

4

. Reducing the underlying risk factors: 1. Environment and natural resources

management. 2. Social and economic development practices. 3. Land-use planning, building codes and other technical measures.

5

. Strengthen disaster

preparedness for effective response

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

Priority 2 of the Hyogo Framework for Action

The starting point for reducing risk lies in the hazards knowledge of the and the vulnerabilities that societies face and hazards and vulnerabilities are changing .

the way in which Key activities:

• National and local risk assessments, risk maps, indicators, analysis • Develop Early Warning systems that are people centered and integrated • Capacity enhancement through databases, hazard mapping, impact analysis • Research, assess, monitor and disseminate regional and emerging risks

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

Priority 5 of the Hyogo Framework for Action

Priority 5 calls for the

“strengthening of disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels”.

• The

main responsibility of responding to disasters lies with national governments.

OCHA and its humanitarian partners have a responsibility to assist governments in the implementation of Priority 5.

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

Why is Disaster Preparedness so important?

•Over

300 million people affected by disasters in the world every year the number is likely to increase due to climate change.

and

•Today

eight out of the world’s ten most populous cities are prone to earthquakes

•Global Warming

will put hundreds of millions of people at increased risk from climate related hazards

•Being better prepared minimizes effects & is

less costly than “waiting” for the response

($1 invested today in disaster risk reduction saves four to seven dollars in future cost of relief and rehabilitation)

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

Guiding Principles of Preparedness

Preparedness means strong systems and structures in place to respond to the needs of the affected

•Assess current systems, legal and institutional frameworks and

resources so as to identify gaps

•Make sure hazards are identified, mapped and analysed taking

special account of vulnerabilities of the populations potentially affected

•Make sure preparedness plans include all stakeholders, local

populations are often very knowledgeable Preparedness planning is more than a plan – it is a process fostering cooperation and effective response

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

How does Humanitarian Reform support HFA?

CLUSTERS

• Reform ensures more efficient preparedness for response through

predictability and pre-determined roles in who does what. Easier for Governments to identify counterparts

• Agreed upon Terms of Reference for each cluster

CERF

• Funding is still a challenge for preparedness per se and the CERF

covers for the time being only response. It does however, provide money for under-funded crises

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

How does Reform support HFA?

PARTNERSHIPS

A key responsibility of cluster leads is to ensure that humanitarian actors build on [and support] local capacities and that they develop and maintain appropriate links with Government and local authorities, State institutions, local civil society and other stakeholders.

HUMANITARIAN COORDINATION STRENGTHENING

The easiest entry point in the preparedness phase for a meteorological organization may well be through the RC/HC office. Once contact is established cooperation and participation in clusters or in preparedness/contingency planning could easily be worked out.

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

Conclusion

The main link between Reform and the Implementation of the HFA is through preparedness. National Meteorological Organizations can play an important role in risk analysis and Early Warning For more information

Emergency Preparedness Section: [email protected]

Humanitarian Reform Support Unit: [email protected]

Reform Website:

www.humanitarianreform.org