OCHA in Emergencies

OCHA facilitates, mobilizes and coordinates humanitarian assistance delivered by international and national partners to populations and communities in need (see more about OCHA). We categorise crises into two main types, complex emergencies and natural disasters.

Complex Emergencies

[Photo: Derk Seger/IRIN]

Complex emergency: humanitarian crisis typically characterized by extensive violence and loss of life, massive displacements of people, widespread damage to societies and economies, and hindrance of humanitarian assistance by security risks and political and military constraints. OCHA plays a key role in supporting the delivery of large-scale, multi-faceted humanitarian assistance typically required.

Read more on OCHA's response to natural disasters.