1. Human Rights-Based Approach to Programming - UNFPA - SESSION 6: Emergency Response

2. Session Overview Introduction to UNFPA’s work in emergency preparedness, humanitarian response and post- crisis recovery and transition UNFPA’s general principles The four phases Natural disasters UNFPA’s focus areas for reproductive health UNFPA’s focus areas for gender UNFPA’s focus areas for population and development Conclusions

3. Introduction Central role of promoting data collection, reproductive health and rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment in humanitarian emergencies Goals to build knowledge of and commitment to: –importance of gender and reproductive health and reproductive rights issues in crisis and transition –improve technical and institutional capacities to incorporate principles from ICPD into emergency preparedness, response and recovery

4. UNFPA’s General Principles Committed to promotion and protection of human rights during emergency response, regardless of the type of emergency Whether political crisis, natural disaster, or post- conflict situation, UNFPA guided by human rights and principles noted in CEDAW, the ICPD Programme of Action, and Resolutions 1308, 1325 and 1820 of the Security Council

5. The Four Phases Emergency preparedness and contingency planning Acute emergency response Chronic humanitarian situations Transition and recovery

6. A HRBA to Emergency Response Added value of a HRBA to emergency response: –strengthening UN and government accountability to affected populations –promoting participation and inclusion, thereby reinforcing a culturally sensitive approach –responding in a non-discriminatory manner to reduce disproportionate impact of emergencies on most vulnerable subpopulations

7. UNFPA’s Role in Humanitarian Reform Three elements of humanitarian reform –cluster approach –humanitarian coordinators –Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) UNFPA is co-responsible for three areas in existing clusters –reproductive health (Cluster health) –gender mainstreaming (Cluster Early recovery) –prevention and response to gender-based violence (with UNICEF) (Protection Cluster) UNFPA is also a lead agency for mainstreaming gender across all clusters

8. Accountability and Rule of Law in Humanitarian Response Disseminating and sharing findings with rights-holders and duty-bearers Establishing redress mechanisms for survivors of sexual and other forms of violence Zero-tolerance policy: Supporting the obligation of the UN to those receiving humanitarian assistance

9. HRBA and Natural Disasters Applying same fundamental HR concepts and principles when supporting a family planning programme or assisting in a post-conflict setting Participatory and inclusive HRBA promotes understanding of local knowledge and traditional warning systems—a critical aspect of natural disaster response Be familiar with available guidelines and tools for natural disasters, such as the IASC Operational Guidelines on Human Rights and Natural Disasters

10. UNFPA’s Focus Areas for Population and Development in Emergencies Collection of data on partners’ capacities and available service providers Rapid assessments Post-conflict evaluation

11. UNFPA’s Focus Areas for Reproductive Health in Emergencies Protecting and promoting reproductive health and rights in emergency and post-emergency settings Supporting programmes to increase access, availability, acceptability and quality to emergency sexual and reproductive health services Reinforcing the capacities of survivors to claim their rights to be assisted and protected

12. UNFPA’s Focus Areas for Gender in Emergencies Protection of women and girls who are survivors of gender-based violence Supporting programmes to increase access, availability, acceptability and quality to medical, psychosocial support and legal services Capacity-building of women’s and community organizations to promote and protect rights.

13. Conclusion: The Value Added of a HRBA in Emergency Response (1) 1.UNFPA recognizes and accounts for different emergency phases and types of emergencies at hand. 2.Fundamental elements of a HRBA apply to the response regardless of the phase or type of crisis or activity. 3.Challenges are raised for programming in emergency/chronic humanitarian situations— BUT a HRBA can still be implemented.

14. Conclusion: The Value Added of a HRBA in Emergency Response (2) 4.UNFPA supports government efforts to promote accountability and transparency by working with its partners to quickly disseminate the findings of rapid health and mortality assessments and fact-finding missions to the government and local organizations. 5.Ensuring the inclusion and participation of local groups in emergency response activities helps UNFPA promote a more culturally sensitive response by providing valuable insight about the value systems and social hierarchies of those communities living in humanitarian crises.

15. Conclusion: The Value Added of a HRBA in Emergency Response (3) 6.UNFPA assists partners in taking steps to recognize and combat social stigmas and other forms of inequality faced by vulnerable groups that are often exacerbated in emergency situations to ensure equality and non-discrimination.

16. Conclusion: The Value Added of a HRBA in Emergency Response (4) Some of the biggest challenges faced by UNFPA in humanitarian emergencies: - the limited capacity and unwillingness of the government to commit resources to sexual and reproductive health and other services Important long-term components: - increasing budgets for excluded groups - working to translate this commitment into available, accessible, acceptable and high quality services

17. Conclusion: The Value Added of a HRBA in Emergency Response (5) UNFPA collaborates with large number of NGOs/CSOs, UN agencies, government offices and international humanitarian groups when responding to emergencies Given indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of human rights, diverse group of actors are required to respond to the different but linked human rights that require protection Application of the key HR principles, as well as the 3AQ elements, can facilitate and strengthen UNFPA’s humanitarian response work