Building a Stronger, More Predictable Humanitarian Response System reform HUMANITARIAN

2005 Humanitarian Response Review found:  Well-known, long-standing gaps  Unpredictable response capacity  Weak partnerships  Insufficient accountability  Inconsistent donor policies Why did we need humanitarian reform?

PARTNERSHIPS COORDINATION CAPACITY & SYSTEMS FINANCINGC LEADERSHIP HUMANITARIAN REFORM What are the key elements of humanitarian reform?

IASC-agreed reform (global level commitment by HQs) IASC-agreed reform (global level commitment by HQs) Partnership = foundation Partnership = foundation PoP - principles of transparency, equality, responsibility, complementarity, and results-oriented approach PoP - principles of transparency, equality, responsibility, complementarity, and results-oriented approach Why partnership? Humanitarian agencies acknowledge that no single agency can cover all humanitarian needs, and that IASC led reform needed broader support from all partners Why partnership? Humanitarian agencies acknowledge that no single agency can cover all humanitarian needs, and that IASC led reform needed broader support from all partners No longer ‘reform’ but the way we do business! Whose reform and based on what principles?

Government holds primary responsibility Government holds primary responsibility RC/HC coordinates response in support of government RC/HC coordinates international response in support of government Response is coordinated sectorally (sector/cluster) Response is coordinated sectorally (sector/cluster) What’s the same? What’s new? Predictability Predictability Accountability Accountability Inclusivity Inclusivity Higher Standards Higher Standards Global Support Global Support

What the cluster approach means in practice At global level: Clear accountable lead agencies Stockpiles, surge capacity, and resources Operational guidance, toolkits and handbooks At field level: Coherent coordination systems Less gaps/duplication Strengthened partnerships and links to government

Establish and lead Humanitarian Country Team Establish and lead Humanitarian Country Team Facilitate agreement among humanitarian actors on establishment of sectors/clusters and designation of sector/cluster leads Facilitate agreement among humanitarian actors on establishment of sectors/clusters and designation of sector/cluster leads Establish appropriate mechanisms for inter-sectoral coordination Establish appropriate mechanisms for inter-sectoral coordination Coordinate needs assessment, strategic planning, response planning, monitoring & evaluation, integration of cross-cutting issues Coordinate needs assessment, strategic planning, response planning, monitoring & evaluation, integration of cross-cutting issues Advocate for respect for human rights, humanitarian law, humanitarian principles, and access Advocate for respect for human rights, humanitarian law, humanitarian principles, and access Coordinate inter-agency resource mobilization efforts, including appeals and requests for CERF funding Coordinate inter-agency resource mobilization efforts, including appeals and requests for CERF funding Accountable to the Emergency Relief Coordinator Role of the HC/RC in coordinating the humanitarian response

Inter-Cluster Coordination Challenges?

Lack of understanding of responsibilities Lack of understanding of responsibilities Reluctance to ‘be coordinated’ Reluctance to ‘be coordinated’ Turf wars, agency dominance of clusters Turf wars, agency dominance of clusters Lack of participation and engagement Lack of participation and engagement Cross-cutting issues get lost Cross-cutting issues get lost Lack of leadership/understanding (HC/RC) Lack of leadership/understanding (HC/RC) Operational constraints (government, security, etc) Operational constraints (government, security, etc) Differences in capacity & approach across clusters Differences in capacity & approach across clusters Inter-Cluster Coordination Challenges

Roles and responsibilities clearer Roles and responsibilities clearer Partnerships strengthened Partnerships strengthened Fewer response gaps Fewer response gaps Better engagement with national authorities Better engagement with national authorities Convergence on definitions, guidelines, and assessments Continuing (mis)perceptions Continuing (mis)perceptions Unresolved leadership and coordination issues Unresolved leadership and coordination issues Difference in capacities Difference in capacities Rolling out clusters in HC and non-HC countries Rolling out clusters in HC and non-HC countries Key opportunities and challenges ahead

OCHA’s Humanitarian Coordination Support Section (HCSS)

Humanitarian Coordination Support Section (HCSS) Merger of Humanitarian Reform Support Unit (HRSU), Humanitarian Coordinator System Strengthening Project (HCSSP) & Partnership Focal Point Merger of Humanitarian Reform Support Unit (HRSU), Humanitarian Coordinator System Strengthening Project (HCSSP) & Partnership Focal Point Aims to strengthen humanitarian coordination system and humanitarian action through stronger linkages between OCHA’s sections supporting partnerships, leadership, and coordination Aims to strengthen humanitarian coordination system and humanitarian action through stronger linkages between OCHA’s sections supporting partnerships, leadership, and coordination Focuses support on external partners (Global Cluster Leads, cluster partners, RCs/HCs, field level coordination structures) & links to IASC entities (SWGs etc) – internal support to OCHA also Focuses support on external partners (Global Cluster Leads, cluster partners, RCs/HCs, field level coordination structures) & links to IASC entities (SWGs etc) – internal support to OCHA also

Humanitarian Coordination Support Section (HCSS) – continued Support to leadership: HC Pool establishment, 3-yr training strategy for RCs/HCs, performance management system, knowledge management tools Support to leadership: HC Pool establishment, 3-yr training strategy for RCs/HCs, performance management system, knowledge management tools Support to coordination: Focus on qualitative support to cluster roll-out, tracking & monitoring, accountability mechanisms, training for HCTs, support to cluster trainings, surge support to emergencies, stronger links to contingency planning Support to coordination: Focus on qualitative support to cluster roll-out, tracking & monitoring, accountability mechanisms, training for HCTs, support to cluster trainings, surge support to emergencies, stronger links to contingency planning Support to partnerships: Secretariat for GHP, training for RCs/HCs and HCTs on partnership-building, strengthening links to NGOs Support to partnerships: Secretariat for GHP, training for RCs/HCs and HCTs on partnership-building, strengthening links to NGOs