The Field Information Services Unit (FIS) focuses on supporting and improving information management in existing or new OCHA field offices and deploying Humanitarian Information Centres (HIC) or small information management teams to sudden-onset emergencies. Working with UN Agencies, local governments, NGOs and donors, FIS develops and implements information products and tools to improve the coordination of humanitarian assistance. In the context of the humanitarian reform process, FIS is also active in inter-agency initiatives to develop common approaches to information management. FIS serves as the secretariat for the Geographic Information Support Team (GIST), a corps of information specialists from UN, NGO and donor agencies that develop and promote the use of geographic and data standards in humanitarian relief.

Key challenges for FIS in 2007 will relate to providing leadership to the humanitarian community in adapting its information management practices in light of humanitarian reform. Ensuring a system wide approach to allow for managing information across clusters will require building consensus among cluster leads and their implementing partners to standardize and adapt IM processes and tools. Their willingness, participation and agreement to implement and follow up will be critical.

OCHA is challenged internally to better integrate and mainstream information management practices to support analysis for advocacy and coordination in the new reform environment. Meeting this key challenge will require cross functional team approaches – from headquarters to the field and across all branches – and must include reaching agreement on ways forward, implementation and follow up.

Quick Links

Humanitarian Information Centres

Humanitarianinfo.org

Geographic Information Support Team (GIST)

Tools and Services

OCHA GeoNetwork

Who does What Where (3W)

OCHA's Information Management Toolbox

UN Geographic Information Working Group (UNGIWG)

Other Links

Reliefweb

Virtual On-Site Operations Coordination Centre

Humanitarian Reform & Information Management