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  Resources * Disaster Response Tools
Monday, November 23, 2009   
 OCHA Disaster Response Tools and Services Minimize

The Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), through the Coordination and Response Division (CRD) of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, is responsible for coordinating the international response to a natural disaster. Response coordination for technological and environmental emergencies, and mobilization of emergency response tools, are undertaken by the respective sections of the OCHA Emergency Services Branch (ESB). The available tools and mechanisms are described below:


  
 Emergency Relief – Rapid Deployment Mechanisms Minimize

Before a natural disaster event, or when such an event is deemed imminent, OCHA can deploy staff from the Early Warning Unit (EWU) in New York or the OCHA Regional Office, to assist in contingency and preparedness planning in support of humanitarian coordination activities. http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/iasc/content/default.asp
 
Teams can be deployed to assist either the Government or the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) in emergency assessment and field coordination during the initial relief phase of a disaster. http://www.gdacs.org/
 
Is a global network of more than 80 countries and disaster response organizations, operating under the United Nations umbrella. http://ochaonline.un.org/?TabId=1436
 
MCDA can be mobilized from countries and multinational organizations. UN Civil-Military Coordination (UN-CMCoord) Officers can also be deployed to support the RC/HC in the coordination of MCDA and the civil-military interface. http://ochaonline.un.org/cmcs
 
ESS is jointly managed by OCHA and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and serves as the integrated United Nations emergency response mechanism to activate and provide international assistance for countries facing environmental emergencies. http://ochaonline.un.org/ochaunep

 

International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP)

The International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) was created in 1995 as an informal cooperation the Department for International Development (DFID), the Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), and the Swedish Rescue Service (SRSA). The objective of the cooperation was to provide logistical support to UN agencies especially in sudden onset disasters. http://ochaonline.un.org/Coordination/FieldCoordinationSupportSection/IHP/tabid/1450/Default.aspx


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 FUNDING and RESOURCE MECHANISMS Minimize

This US$ 500 million fund was established in 2006 to support rapid response assistance and to address critical humanitarian needs in underfunded emergencies.  http://cerf.un.org
                 
An annual appeal document, the main purpose of the CAP is to provide a framework for joint strategic planning and prioritization, and to mobilize resources in a specific country or region. http://ochaonline.un.org/humanitarianappeal/ 
 
Emergency assistance can be provided in formulating appeals, either in the form of Flash Appeals or Donor Alerts, issued before or in the early stages of a crisis, or when an ongoing crisis deteriorates considerably. http://www.humanitarianappeal.net
 
The FTS is a global, web-based searchable database which records all humanitarian requirements and reported international aid (including that for NGOs, Red Cross/Red Crescent, bi-lateral aid, in-kind aid and private donations). http://ocha.unog.ch/fts/

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 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT – TOOLS and SERVICES Minimize

ReliefWeb

ReliefWeb is the world’s leading on-line gateway to information (documents and maps) on humanitarian emergencies and disasters. An independent vehicle of information updated 24 hours per day. http://www.reliefweb.int

 

Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC)

OCHA can deploy staff at short notice to establish a HIC in the field to provide information management (IM) services. This includes the collation, analysis and dissemination of information, and the provision of IM services to partners. http://www.humanitarianinfo.org

 

Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)

IRIN can provide humanitarian coverage in the form of news reports within 3-6 hours of emergencies developing across the region, through either IRIN Information Officers or via a large network of in-country stringers. http://www.irinnews.org

 

The Virtual Operations Coordination Centre (VOSOCC)

VOSOCC is a web-based platform for coordination and real-time information exchange in disasters. The VOSOCC is used to mobilize UNDAC teams, facilitates the management of training programmes and provides a discussion forum for over 4000 participants from over 100 countries and organizations. http://ocha.unog.ch/virtualosocc

 

The Global Alert and Coordination System (GDACS)

GDACS provides near real-time alerts about natural disasters around the world and provides tools to facilitate response coordination. GDACS is a web-based programme that combines existing disaster information management systems with the aim of alerting the international community to major sudden-onset disasters. http://www.gdacs.org

 

The Central Register of Disaster Management

Central Register is an operational tool to support the United Nations system and the international community in their efforts to ensure expeditious delivery of required humanitarian emergency assistance. http://www.reliefweb.int/cr/

 

OCHA On-Line

OCHA On-Line is OCHA’s official website, providing information specific to OCHA and its work. http://ochaonline.un.org


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 Survey Tools Minimize

UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Field Handbook
 
(UNDAC, 2000)
 
This handbook provides a quick a reference guide for the use of UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Teams undertaking emergency missions, assisting in the accomplishment of tasks they may be expected to perform on mission. It discusses issues relating to the mission cycle, commencing with preparation prior to a mission, through various stages of a mission until termination and debriefing, provides checklists and description of coordination structures in the field as well as data for everyday use, such as composition of medical kits, security precautions, characteristics of operating in different climatic conditions and terrain.


 
 
(USAID, 2005)
 
This guide on disaster assessment and response, now at version 4, can be used as a reference for individuals sent to disaster sites to perform initial assessments or to members of an OFDA Disaster Assistance Response Team. Information is provided on general responsibilities and information; assessments; information on populations at risk; disaster assistance response team; forms and instructions; reference information; and commonly used acronyms and terminology. The guide aims to be of interest to a variety of field operations as a useful source of information. 
 
 
 
(Benfield Hazard Research Centre, University College London and CARE International, 2005)
 
The Guidelines for Rapid Environmental Impact in Disasters (REA) provide a means to define and prioritize potential environmental impacts in disaster situations. The Guidelines is composed of five main parts and ten supporting Annexes. The main parts include an Introduction to the REA, and modules on Organization and Community Level Assessments, Consolidation and Analysis of assessment results and Green Review of Relief Procurement. The Annexes include information sources, forms used in the assessment and information useful in managing the REA process.
 
 
 
(UNDG, UNDP and World Bank Guide, prepared by GTZ with the support of BMZ, 2003)
 
This guide aims to help make post-conflict needs assessments (PCNAs) more effective by systematizing the analysis and suggesting more efficient processes. In particular, it contributes to the definition of common minimum standards regarding quality, reliability and inclusiveness of the assessment; a fast-track professional response by the international community when recovery planning becomes feasible; and lowering the costs of PCNAs by promoting systematization and standardization.
 
 
 
(UNHCR/WFP, 2004)
 
This document provides guidelines to ensure effective collaboration in the planning and organization of all joint UNHCR-WFP assessment activities, adherence to agreed procedures and standards, the consistent production of reliable information, and the effective use and analysis of that information. The aim of these guidelines is to ensure effective collaboration in the planning and organization of all joint UNHCR-WFP assessment activities, adherence to agreed procedures and standards, the consistent production of reliable information, and the effective use and analysis of that information.
 
 
 

The purpose of this handbook is to provide guidance to humanitarian practitioners and policymakers on identifying and measuring possible humanitarian implications of sanctions. The information and guidelines presented are relevant to a wide variety of sanctions, including: arms embargoes, financial sanctions, travel-related sanctions and targeted trade sanctions.

 

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This website was developed with the assistance of Thematic Funding from the Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission in 2004 and 2005