1. United Nations Overview
 2. How Does the UN Respond to Emergencies?
 3. What is the role of each agency in emergency relief?
Which one is best suited for needs?

(1)The United Nations Overview

(Source: UN Photo)

The United Nations plays a leading role in coordinating emergency relief efforts
across the globe.

Through a unique system of specialised agencies with global reach, the UN system as a whole
not only coordinates, but also plays an integral operational role in emegency relief efforts, working in close collaboration with national governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the private sector, and affected populations.

The United Nations works to save lives and improve the economic and social condition of people around the world. In the face of disaster, the UN family of organisations supplies food, shelter,medicines and logistical support to those affected - many of these are families uprooted by conflicts and disaster, or communities that host those displaced. The United Nations Organisations comprise the United Nations Secretariat, which includes the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the United Nations programmes and funds - such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Food Programme (WFP), Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) - as well as specialised agencies like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Click here to learn more about the United Nations system.

For a detailed overview about the UN system and UN acronyms please open following document here.

(2) How Does the UN Respond to Emergencies?

  
   (Source: UN Photo)

When a large-scale emergency strikes, the various agencies of the UN assess the situation and develop a humanitarian strategy to tackle the emergency. The United Nations and its NGO
partners create an interagency blueprint (Consolidated or Flash Appeals) that spells out the
requirements for each appealing organization to meet their objectives in the affected regions. The UN appeals are not wish lists; they represent real and immediate needs, and usually reflect the bare minimum required.

Funding made available by donor governments has not been sufficient to fund all requirements
in the past years and the UN is increasingly appealing to the private setor to bridge the gap.

In 2007, 330 organizations joined forces in common humanitarian action plans and consolidated appeals.  They appealed for US$5 billion and received US$ 3.3 billion from donors and from the Central Emergency Response Fund.  With these funds, they achieved enormous success in the world's most severe humanitarian crises.  They provided food, shelter, health care, safe water and sanitation to millions of people affected by conflicts and natural disasters.   For details on achievements, visit www/humanitarianappeal.net.

But 2008 has brought new challenges: climate change, population growth, mass migration, natural resources scarcity and conflicts continue to spur complex humanitarian emergencies. The UN and its partner NGOs have appealed for US$3.8 billion to assist 25 million people in 24 countries. US$930 million is required for the humanitarian programmes in Sudan only.

(3) What is the role of each UN agency in emergency relief?
Which one match your core competences?

  (Source: UN Photo)

> Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Assists disaster-affected communities in protecting and re-establishing agriculture and
fisheries production

> Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Coordinates the UN’s emergency relief efforts

> United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Protects children and women, ensures the rigorous application of international standards
covering their rights, and provides them with assistance

> United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

On the ground in almost every developing country - coordinates rehabilitation and reconstruction
efforts at the national level

> United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)

Safeguards the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced communities

> United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Protects the reproductive health of communities in crisis and provides census and data
collection capabilities

> World Food Programme (WFP)

Mobilises and distributes food, and coordinates logistics support for large-scale emergency
relief operations through the UN Joint Logistics Centre

> World Health Organization (WHO)

Reduces death, disease and disability among people affected by crisis, emergencies and
disasters; optimises health in post-crisis transition, and supports recovery and development

>Global Compact

Advances responsible corporate citizenship so that business can be part of the solution
to the challenges of globalisation

>United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP)

Assists UN entities by facilitating unique partnerships with corporations, foundations, civil

society and academia in furtherance of the Millennium Development Goals

> United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
On the ground in almost every developing country - supports natural disaster mitigation,
prevention and preparedness activities at the national level

________________________________________________________

(!) This website is intended only for companies who wish to donate to support UN emergency
relief activities.If you wish to sell your products or services to the UN, please visit the website for

UN procurement services.

Promote responsible corporate citizenship - support the ten principles of the Global Compact: www.unglobalcompact.org."