UN OCHA Emergency Response

Study Notes

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is responsible for coordinating responses to emergencies through the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.
OCHA's mandate stems from General Assembly resolution 46/182 of December 1991, which emphasizes the importance of a coordinated, system-wide approach to humanitarian relief.

CERF is managed by OCHA and provides immediate funding for life-saving humanitarian action in response to natural disasters and armed conflict.
CERF receives voluntary contributions year-round to support rapid humanitarian response.

UNDP is responsible for operational activities for natural disaster mitigation, prevention, and preparedness.
UNHCR leads and coordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide.
UNICEF strives to reach as many children as possible with effective, low-cost solutions to counter the biggest threats to their survival.
WFP is responsible for delivering relief assistance.
WHO coordinates the response to humanitarian health emergencies.
UNFPA provides humanitarian assistance with a focus on meeting the health and protection needs of women, girls, and young people.

UNHCR was established in the wake of World War II to help Europeans displaced by that conflict.
The General Assembly created UNRWA to provide emergency relief to Palestine refugees, with approximately 5 million refugees eligible for UNRWA services.

UNICEF's Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) are the core policy and framework for humanitarian action.
CCCs promote equality, transparency, responsibility, and a results-oriented approach to enable predictable and timely collective humanitarian action.

UNFPA provides life-saving sexual and reproductive health services and supplies, services and coordination for the prevention and response to gender-based violence, and integrated services for mental health.

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