The roles of INGOs during Emergency Response - What happens?
by
Impactpool
During an emergency response, time and resources are limited, therefore for efficient and effective response, the organisations must coordinate exceptionally amongst each other using the Cluster Approach first applied in the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. The aim of the Cluster Approach is to strengthen systemwide preparedness. All these organisations must adhere to the Humanitarian Imperative and Humanitarian Principles.
What does an Emergency Recruiter look for in an application?
Image Source - OCHA Humanitarian Response Information Site
The principles are
- Humanity - treat individuals as human beings with dignity and respect
- Neutrality - must not take sides in hostilities and controversies
- Impartiality- give assistance on the basis of need and need alone
- Independence - regardless of the source of financial support
You can read more on What is Emergency aid, Response and Disaster Management to find out the main types of emergencies, what is like to be an Emergency Management Director, how to become one and their responsibilities.
The list of actors in disaster response:
- National Government - initial coordination and implementation - the national disaster agency is put in place to monitor organisations.
- Local Community/ Community Based Organisations (CBOs) - Probably the most aware of the context, easier communication and also remain in the affected area when the international organisations leave.
- International Red Cross (ICRC) - organizes relief assistance responding to large scale emergencies. The ICRC is a very unique organisation that is already present in most countries therefore can respond quickly in times of emergencies.
- NGOs with specific and unique focus depending on the crisis - Do not require invitation from government but can be turned away
- UN Agencies - Must be invited by governments to be present
- UN OCHA - Bringing together humanitarian actors, presenting the response framework for efficiency
- UNHCR - Leads coordinations in refugee situations by providing protection and emergency shelter
- FAO - Responsible for improving nutrition and standard of living in rural areas
- WHO - Responsible for health matters
- UNDP - Lead at early recovery, when there is no crisis
- IOM - Responsible for camp management and the orderly management of migration
- WFP - Manages logistics of food acquisition and distribution
- UNICEF - Responsible for child protection and education
6. Military - Only required as a last resort when boats, airplanes are needed to distribute aid during a crisis.
The Cluster Approach is humanitarian tools used to improve temporal coordination. There are 11 clusters (see image above - in country cluster approach)
The clusters are reviewed within 3 months for sudden onset emergencies and annually for protracted crises. As the need for humanitarian aid decreases, the clusters are deactivated and handed over to the local authorities and community based organisations.
Keep an eye for our upcoming Podcast with a representative from UN-OCHA who will talk more indepth on what makes a coordination successful or unuccessful.
Jobs in Emergency aid, Response, Disaster Management and Human Settlements
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