Responding to slow-onset crises Transforming Surge Capacity Project Dr Glenn O’Neil 28 March 2017

Slow-onset crises – review of surge practices This report is part of a tracking mechanism of humanitarian surge response Focuses on surge response of 11 operational agencies that are part of the Project Survey of 7 agencies and interviews with 5 field staff involved in slow-onset crises supplemented by desk research - other actors Report is a rapid review and does not aim to cover all surge response to slow-onset crises

Key definitions Surge capacity: Ability of an organisation to rapidly and effectively increase [the sum of] its available resources in a specific geographic location in order to meet increased demand to stabilise or alleviate suffering in any given population. Slow-onset crises take a long time to produce emergency conditions and do not emerge from a single, distinct event. Types of crises can be both man-made and natural and include drought, famine, disease outbreak, economic insecurity, food insecurity, pollution and environmental degradation.

Will increase… Slow and inappropriate responses / tools Findings - Context Will increase… Slow and inappropriate responses / tools Gradually to new tools and mechanisms Key factors: funding, timing, politics & integration

Africa Middle East Asia Pacific Western Europe Eastern Europe Findings – Deployment and response All agencies have deployed surge resources to respond to slow-onset crises Country-led Linked to programmes and existing partners Active in mainly coordination, food security, WASH Africa Middle East Asia Pacific Western Europe Eastern Europe

Findings – Deployment and response – 3 examples India - Andhra Pradesh -2013 drought -Christian Aid with local partners - WASH / livelihoods - 2 staff from New Delhi & Bangladesh supported Zimbabwe - El Niño-related drought - ActionAid piloted cash project - In-country staff mobilised Papua New Guinea - El Niño-related drought 2015/6 - CARE active in response - Combined international and national team - Assessment and funding - integrated into programmes

Findings – Key challenges Funding Timing Access Perception internally Collaboration Internally & externally Staff skill-sets

Recommendations Deployment and response for agencies: How to develop early-warning approaches and triggers Better use of existing tools and assessments – buy-in internally/externally Build awareness of surge for slow-onset crises Make available initial funding for slow-onset crises Donors - recognise need for funding for slow-onset crises

Recommendations (cont.) Staff and set-up for agencies: Ensure surge training for staff in countries prone to slow-onset crises Ensure key staff develop skill-set needed for slow-onset responses Collaboration for agencies: Encourage dialogue between emergency and development sectors Develop further contacts with governments and donor to facilitate their slow-onset responses Encourage participation in new initiatives to respond to slow-onset crises, e.g. Start Network’s Drought Financing Facility

Thank you Questions? More about the Transforming Surge Capacity Project >> Download the report >> (pdf) Authors contact: oneil@owlre.com