OCHA’s Role in Preparedness 20 June 2011 IASC SWG on Preparedness - Retreat

Preparedness ‘Policy Instruction on OCHA’s Role in Preparedness’ adopted in August 2010 Preparedness = Strengthen response capacity OCHA Strategic Framework 2010-13 1.3 Preparedness Preparedness is defined as the knowledge and capacities developed by governments, professional response and recovery organizations, communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the impact of likely, imminent or current hazard events or other emergency situations, including conflicts and generalized violence, warranting humanitarian response. This definition is specific to OCHA but aligned with how ISDR and other humanitarian partners understand the term. There is however, no officially agreed IASC defintion of preparedness. 1.3 Defined roles and responsibilities within OHCA and among international development and humanitarian partners to support Member States and regional organizations in response preparedness

3 Levels of Preparedness Action 1. Strengthen OCHA's internal response capacity (incl. capacity development) 2. Strengthen the capacity of the in-country humanitarian coordination system (cap devt) 3. Strengthen the capacity of national authorities and regional organizations (enhance knowledge of international response tools and mechanisms) 1. Aim of creating and maintaining its own capacity to respond: Risk identification Create/maintain service delivery systems and tools, geared toward enhancing OCHA’s capacity to respond 2. OCHA supports in strengthening the response capacity of international stakeholders at global, regional and country level, but focus on enhancing existing coordination arrangements: in-country humanitarian coordination system -building and maintaining partnerships and ensuring partners contribute to the effective functioning of the in-country humanitarian coordination system -identifying preparedness gaps and deploying appropriately scaled preparedness services to support RC/HC 3. Strengthening govts’ capacity to deal with international assistance – provision of guidance and familiasization workshops on international services and tools, facilitation of joint govt-IASC contingency planning HFA priority 5 UNDP and ISDR, IFRC – capacity development OCHA sill focus on advising government on increasing their capacity, supported by appropriate tools, but will not be involved in the design or implementation of the capacity development projects

In the Lead OCHA Regional Offices (Bangkok, Panama, Dakar, Johannesburg/Nairobi, Cairo/Almaty) lead preparedness work for humanitarian response in: Strengthening emergency response capacity (incl. EW and CP) Providing Govts/RC/HC/HCT with support and resources in emergency response Developing regional coordination networks 1998 Fiji RDRA Ecuador RDRA 2004 Bangkok (ROAP), Panama (ROLAC) Dubai – Cairo Central Asia Jo’burg- Nairobi Dakar 5 ROs with 2 SROs ROAP (tools GFM, Preparedness Matrix, CLIPPER) ROLAC (Needs Assessment Methodology –REDLAC) Emergency preparedness forum

Key Actions Regional Offices: Provide country-level support aimed at implementing minimum preparedness actions for HCTs and Govts to deliver effective response OCHA: Active engagement in the IASC process (new Humanitarian Response Model), Building National Capacities (SWG – 5 Country Initiatives), Task Team on Preparedness Financing, Regional IASC collaboration, etc.