REGIONAL OFFICE FOR CENTRAL AND EAST AFRICA

The Regional Office for Central and East Africa (ROCEA) covers 14 countries, 11 of which have an OCHA presence. OCHA's most recently established presence, in Kenya, operates under the supervision of ROCEA to support the Resident Coordinator system.

The CEA region is home to more than 13 million displaced persons - both IDPs and refugees. A return and reintegration process is being established following successful political agreements. However, open conflict, violent ethnic and resource-based clashes, as well as sudden onset and/or recurrent natural disasters, including droughts, floods, and irregular rainfall, complicate already fragile political and economic contexts. The shortened recovery period between emergencies means populations are in constant need of relief and in competition for scarce resources, which continues to fuel tensions among communities whose coping capacities are already strained to the limit.

Several countries in the Horn of Africa are still coping with the effects of the worst drought in decades, now complicated by recent flash flooding. The forthcoming rainy season may be insufficient for drought recovery.

Some countries are going through post-conflict transition linked to fragile economies and weak overall governance, and civil authority is not uniformly established. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, Central African Republic (CAR), Chad and Republic of Congo are all transitioning politically, and recovery and socio-economic development has not taken sufficient hold to avert serious humanitarian need. The humanitarian situations in Darfur, Sudan and eastern Chad are also key concerns as violent attacks displace thousands and reduce access to populations in need. The targeting of humanitarian workers is a worrying trend.

Life-threatening diseases such as cholera are prevalent, malaria is endemic to the region and HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious concern. Previously eradicated diseases have re-emerged, including polio in the Horn and the bubonic plague in the DRC. Environmental degradation also has a strong and often unrecognised impact on livelihoods in the region.

Kenya's three successive cycles of drought have decimated livelihoods and exacerbated the vulnerability of households in the pastoralist districts, which are already suffering from decades of under-development due to chronic inequity and poverty. Infant and maternal mortality rates in these districts are significantly higher than national averages while very low education enrolment rates reinforce the marginality of pastoralism within national development and economic policy. There is long-term displacement due to the political violence of the 1990s, and subsequent pastoralist displacement due to drought, floods and resource-based clashes. Kenya now has nearly 400,000 IDPs living in makeshift settlements. Depleted pasture and water resources have intensified armed conflict, particularly amongst nomads. Border areas continue to experience sporadic clashes, sometimes linked with the Ethiopia/Somalia situation.

A mixture of political, religious, and clan tensions in Somalia threatens to degenerate into proxy or civil conflict. Although hope remains that the different factions can find an agreement and work together, worsening insecurity in Somalia may increase an already high refugee influx into Kenya.

Traditional humanitarian responses to drought - mostly based on food aid - are insufficient to address the complexity of problems within this region. The ROCEA will continue to network with development partners and regional institutions to initiate coordinated strategies to address structural causes of vulnerability. Emphasis will be placed on linking disaster preparedness/response activities with short- to medium- and long-term strategies, involving partners that are under-represented in this process. In line with continued efforts to better coordinate responses and solutions, advocacy and public information activities will be conducted with institutional partners, governments, and the donor community to raise the profile of human suffering in the region.

In Burundi, DRC, Central African Republic, and Republic of Congo the ROCEA will capitalize on political achievements through increased engagement, improved analytical reporting and dissemination of information, providing support to, and implementing, advocacy strategies, and facilitating workshops, conferences, and other discussions. The office will also reinforce disaster preparedness activities at a national level.

The Kenya presence will focus on advocacy and policy initiatives to support recovery in the pastoralist districts and prepare for possible drought disaster in the event of a rain shortfall. Further emphasis will be placed on raising the profile of the approximately 400,000 internally displaced people and on enhancing sectoral coordination in the pastoralist districts. Dialogue between the United Nations, civil society and the government on IDP rights, on humanitarian and recovery issues will be revived and NGO involvement in these processes increased. A WWW database will be established to improve humanitarian planning and gap analysis and the office will be involved in joint assessments.

In 2007, ROCEA will increase its capacity in information management and technology. This upgraded capacity will allow ROCEA to provide a greater breadth of information products and enhance its support to field operations. A new post of Information Management Advisor will be created to support information management systems and tools. An additional new post will be filled to ensure a coordinated response to planning for an outbreak of Avian and Human Influenza at the regional level. This staff person will work in close cooperation with key technical agencies responsible for animal and human health and with the UN Special Influenza Coordinator. OCHA ROCEA will also conduct staff development initiatives to enhance the skills required to meet new and emerging humanitarian challenges.

Against this background, ROCEA's key objectives for 2007 are as follows:

Greater engagement and coordination with national and international NGOs and enhanced network with development partners: Recognizing that traditional humanitarian responses (mostly based on food aid) are insufficient in addressing the region's problems, the ROCEA will network with development partners, national and international NGOs and regional institutions to address structural causes of vulnerability in a coordinated fashion.

Improved, and publicly profiled, analysis of humanitarian trends and issues: ROCEA will monitor, analyze and report on trends and humanitarian issues in order to improve preparedness, early warning and response. It will also improve and create new key information products.

Strengthened information management and information technology: An improved information management capacity will contribute to ROCEA's ability to provide a greater breadth of information products and will also allow for support to information management and information technology capacity at field level.

Strengthened administrative support: In order to provide better support to disaster response activities, and in response to OCHA field office requests, ROCEA will provide support to installing operational administrative systems.

Key indicators for 2007

• Number of partners from UNCT, governments and NGOs participating in ROCEA sponsored activities such as joint analysis missions and regional workshops and percent of new partners participating
• Percent of increased funding levels for neglected emergencies in the region
• Number of OCHA country offices with strengthened IMIT capacity
• Number of offices where the administrative capacity has been improved

OFFICE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA

OCHA's Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) covers 11 countries, four of which have an OCHA presence.

The southern Africa region continues to struggle against a background of natural disasters, a high incidence of HIV/AIDS and limited, and sometimes declining, national capacities to provide socio-economic stability. The region is prone to a variety of natural disasters including droughts, floods and cyclones. In 2006, floods and cyclones affected more than one million people in the region and erratic and dry weather conditions necessitated the provision of humanitarian assistance to more than 9.5 million people in eight countries. Additionally, regular and increased seismic activity in Mozambique and Zimbabwe reinforced the vulnerability of people within the region.

Although overall vulnerability across the region remains high, food security improved during 2006 thanks to significantly improved harvests in many countries. Good rains at the beginning of the year also contributed, as did the timely provision of inputs. Populations were exposed to other vulnerabilities, however, including water borne diseases. Specifically, cholera was more wide spread, more persistent and more deadly than previously. Major outbreaks were recorded in Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and all proved difficult to control.

OCHA ROSA continues to provide strategic leadership and coordination for IASC partners in support of humanitarian efforts in the region. Building on the 2005 Humanitarian Strategic Framework for Southern Africa, ROSA will advocate for actions to address immediate humanitarian needs, and support work which strengthens preparedness and mitigates and reduces vulnerability to future shocks. A major component of OCHA's approach has been to strengthen information management capacity at the regional level, within the Resident Coordinator system and with national disaster management authorities. This work will continue in 2007 and OCHA ROSA will work to harmonise humanitarian information with systems that support the monitoring of progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

An area of focus in 2007 will be continued work in support of a coordinated response to an outbreak of Avian and Human Influenza (AHI). This work will be done in close collaboration with the key technical agencies responsible for animal and human health in the region and the United Nations Special Influenza Coordinator (UNSIC).

Against this background, ROSA's key objectives for 2007 are as follows:

Ensure region wide understanding of the humanitarian reform initiatives as part of wider UN reform agenda pursued by the Regional Directors Team (RDT): Within the overall framework of support for coordinated action provided by the RDT, ROSA will ensure country level training supporting preparedness and contingency planning. This will include dedicated sessions on the use and application of the cluster approach as well as on the CERF. The office will actively pursue the broad participation of NGOs.

Coherent approach in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable in the southern African region: ROSA will provide strategic and operational coordination support services to regional partners as well as to UNCTs through the Resident Coordinator system. Strategic coordination support will involve engagement within the framework of the UN Regional Directors Team. Operational coordination support functions will include ongoing facilitation and maintenance of regional contingency plans and the coordination of IASC support for the implementation of the five year SADC regional programme on strengthening vulnerability assessment and analysis.

Improved and publicly profiled analysis of regional and country humanitarian trends and issues: ROSA will monitor, analyze and report on trends and humanitarian issues in order to improve preparedness, early warning and response. The quality of the key information products such as the RIACSO bulletin and the quarterly early warning and early action reports will be improved. Enable more rapid response to humanitarian need: When a natural disaster affects any country in the region, ROSA will provide direct support to the Resident Coordinator to lead a timely and effective international response. This will include the preparation of appeals, the facilitation and access to emergency grants, the provision of surge capacity, advocacy and information management services.

More coherent and sharpened advocacy on humanitarian needs and issues in the region: ROSA will provide leadership for a regional inter-agency advocacy group, which, over the course of the year, communicates messages through a variety of channels that highlight the humanitarian needs and issues. This will include messaging for prevention and mitigation of threats to lives and livelihoods from avian and human influenza, HIV/AIDS as well as other threats from natural disasters.

Increased incorporation of humanitarian principles and disaster risk reduction into UN and national planning efforts: In collaboration with UNDP/BCPR and ISDR and in support of the Regional Directors Team, ROSA will provide direct programming support to CTs to ensure humanitarian principles and preparedness actions are incorporated in all UNDAFs and PRSPs mainly through participation in joint programming support missions.

Key indicators for 2007

Number of new emergencies and preparedness planning activities where the cluster approach is implemented

• Number of partners and CTs endorsing regional strategy
• Number and percent of emergency situations flagged by early warning reports
• Number of country based preparedness and response information platforms established and supported
• Number of joint initiatives undertaken by IASC Advocacy group
• Number and percent of plans incorporating humanitarian principles and disaster risk reduction
  

OFFICE FOR WEST AFRICA

The Regional Office for West Africa (ROWA) is based in Dakar, Senegal and covers 18 countries, including 11 with an OCHA presence, and incorporating Guinea in 2007.

The West Africa region suffers from natural and human-made disasters, as well as protracted complex emergencies. Impoverished populations are increasingly vulnerable and less able to cope with extended conflict. Birth rates are on the rise, while economic growth is disparate and agricultural production fails to feed populations dependant on food import and foreign aid.

The region is also prone to epidemics including cholera, meningitis, measles, yellow fever, malaria and the HIV pandemic, as well as to flash floods, droughts and locust infestations. West Africa is ill-prepared to respond if confronted with an Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) pandemic. Furthermore, it has been plagued with political and social tensions, mostly due to weak electoral systems, bad governance, abject poverty and intense competition for resources. All have seriously eroded social cohesion and economic progress, further straining livelihoods and the resilience capacity of governments.

While Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mauritania and Togo benefited in 2006 from the return of peace, stability in other West African countries has been threatened, including Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, the Gambia, southern Senegal, northern parts of Mali and Niger.

Although there are positive prospects for harvests in the Sahel region, this does not fully alleviate the chronic nutritional vulnerability of millions of poor households. Up to 300,000 children die from malnutrition every year in this part of Africa, one of the largest silent emergencies in the world.

The regional complexities are placing increased demand on OCHA ROWA. The OCHA regional team provides strategic leadership and technical assistance to humanitarian teams active in the 18 countries included in the geographic scope of the Office, and assists UN Country Teams, governments, regional inter-State institutions, donors and NGOs. Additionally, ROWA will continue to work in support of a coordinated response to an outbreak of Avian and Human Influenza.

Based upon the context analysis conducted during the regional CAP workshop held in September 2006, humanitarian agencies agreed that the main focus of regional actors for 2007 should be in four areas: food insecurity and under-nutrition; rapid response to health emergencies; protection issues related to sexual violence and children in armed conflicts; and population movements.

Against this background, ROWA's key objectives for 2007 are as follows:

Reinforce the outreach and response capacity of humanitarian actors: The implementation of the Humanitarian Reform will be facilitated by ROWA based upon the IASC platform, which is the cornerstone of regional and country-based coordination.

Formulate a regional strategy in the area of response and preparedness to natural disasters: ROWA will establish a regional network of emergency officers and will offer specialized training such as UNDAC and EFCT to partners in the region.

Contribute to the overall improvement of the protection environment: ROWA will monitor protection breaches, facilitate wide dissemination of instruments and tools and establish regional monitoring systems to measure compliance with core protection principles.

Expand the capacity to collect, analyze and disseminate accurate information: ROWA will work with partners to facilitate early warning, monitoring, decision-making and advocacy. A special focus will be on improved documentation of forgotten emergencies and crises through routine and ad-hoc reporting and public information materials.

Key indicators for 2007

• Number of functioning IASC platforms at regional and country level; IASC and Humanitarian Reform standards, procedures and tools adopted and implemented in emergency management
• Comprehensive contingency plans, including regional plans, regularly updated
• Number and percent of protection breaches
• Percentage of Country Early Warning and Background Analysis Notes submitted in accordance with guidelines
• Number of media professionals and recipient groups trained through Public Information Workshops

OFFICE FOR THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA, IRAN and AFGHANISTAN

The Regional Office for the Middle East, North Africa, Iran and Afghanistan (ROMENAIA) maintains a watching brief over 21 countries and territories where humanitarian coordination and disaster response support services are provided to UN Resident Coordinators, OCHA offices (Tehran, Jerusalem and Beirut) and UN missions (primarily UNAMI in Iraq and UNAMA in Afghanistan). OCHA has a presence in four of those countries.

The MENAIA region harbors risks related to natural hazards and technological failures as well as emerging human-induced risk factors such as pandemics and climate change. Earthquakes, floods, landslides, industrial accidents and oil spillages are the most common phenomena leading to disasters. In addition, slow onset natural disasters - principally drought - affect certain parts of the region. The impact of such disasters on densely populated and vulnerable areas can be enormous, and present humanitarian challenges to governments and other stakeholders.

In addition, a number of countries and territories pose humanitarian challenges due to previous and/or current conflict and insecurity, either widespread or intermittent. In both cases, civilians bear the brunt of hostilities within a weak protection climate exacerbated by inadequate adherence to International Humanitarian Law. There are an estimated 3.3 million IDPs in the MENAIA region (primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan) and 6 million refugees (primarily from oPt and Afghanistan).

There are opportunities to improve coordination with humanitarian and disaster response players in the Middle East by enhancing the degree of interaction between governments and humanitarian actors from ‘the West' and the multi-lateral system, and Arab-Muslim (donor) governments and organizations.

In line with humanitarian reform architecture - which advocates for greater partnership building - humanitarian action in this region presents genuine opportunities to bridge divisions. Shared beliefs in common humanitarian values clearly outweigh the various political and cultural differences.

OCHA aims to position itself as an accessible neutral broker and entry point through which partners in the region can increase their substantive participation and recognition in the international humanitarian arena. The office will thus continue its new partnership outreach program aimed at key constituencies. Secondly, within this overall partnership framework, ROMENAIA will focus on selected countries that are prone to or effected by crises, exacerbated by inadequate systems and resources. Thirdly, the office will work with a select group of countries that play a role as foreign disaster responders. Lastly, the office will continue to work in support of a coordinated response to an outbreak of Avian and Human Influenza (AHI). These four main components will be supported by cross-cutting services of Information Management and Advocacy and Public Information.

Against this background, ROMENAIA's key objectives for 2007 are as follows:

Promote a strengthened interface between multi-lateral mechanisms and foreign disaster responders and donor countries in the region: ROMENAIA will develop and implement a framework for introduction of OCHA response tools and donor coordination services at the regional level.

Enhance capacity to support disaster-prone countries with a variety of humanitarian coordination and disaster response services: ROMENAIA will service pre-identified vulnerable countries in need of support in emergency/disaster response preparedness, analysis and planning. Internal disaster management and quick deployment systems will be bolstered to monitor and analyze trends and ensure timely deployment of surge capacity personnel.

Contribute to improved general awareness of humanitarian concerns and enhanced humanitarian decision making and response through more coherent and sharpened advocacy on humanitarian concerns and the introduction of information management mechanisms: ROMENAIA will develop a website for information sharing with partners on relevant humanitarian issues, and the UN's involvement. Public information support will be provided to UNRCs and UNCTs in the region prior to and during crises.

Increase and strengthen partnerships for humanitarian action in the MENAIA region: ROMENAIA will strengthen humanitarian partnerships between organizations and entities across the region, to promote principled and technically sound assistance. Other relevant ‘partnership' initiatives and events will be supported at both the regional and global levels.

Key indicators for 2007

• A plan to ‘roll-out' OCHA services and response tools is developed and used successfully by mid 2007; percent of new countries requesting and utilizing OCHA tools and mechanisms for response and (donor) coordination
• Number of days for RO response to sudden onset disasters and conflicts; number of countries provided with support for in-country contingency planning exercises
• Percentage increase in the number of requests for information from, and references to, OCHA and its services in various media
• Number of new partnership agreements and affiliations by end 2007

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

OCHA's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP), covers 37 countries and 16 territories, six of which have an OCHA presence. The Office was established in early 2005, with the aim of reinforcing response and preparedness activities in the region and supporting ongoing humanitarian action undertaken by governments, UN Country Teams, IASC Members and other stakeholders. With a main hub in Bangkok and key elements of the regional team based in Suva and Port Moresby, ROAP is well placed to determine requirements in individual countries, establish partnerships, and respond with technical assistance and surge capacity in support of humanitarian activities during both natural disasters and complex emergencies. This is particularly important in the many countries in the region where OCHA does not have a field presence. To strengthen ROAP's capacity to respond to the concerns of these regions, a senior humanitarian affairs officer will be added to the office in 2007.

Asia and the Pacific is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world: more than half of the world's natural disasters during the last decade occurred here. The effects are increasingly severe and frequent, and are coupled with growing population density. While most countries in the region have developed some capacity for disaster reduction and response, many communities remain vulnerable and at risk. Vulnerability linked to natural disasters is compounded by the serious humanitarian consequences of existing and evolving complex emergencies and protection needs in the region.

Since its establishment, ROAP has provided added flexibility and efficiency to OCHA's preparedness and response work in Asia and the Pacific. Major deployments following the Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004) and in response to the South Asia Earthquake (October 2005), Central Java Earthquake (May 2006), and Timor-Leste emergency (May 2006) provided valuable lessons on how to support country-level and regional coordination with available resources. Taking advantage of regional partnerships and working closely with UN Country Teams and Resident/ Humanitarian Coordinators, ROAP has also made efforts to improve disaster response and emergency preparedness by supporting national contingency planning processes. An important component of this preparedness work has been the promotion of information management and data preparedness for emergency response.

In 2007, ROAP will strengthen its capability to deploy surge capacity at short notice in response to sudden-onset disasters and emergencies in the region. The Regional Office will streamline procedures for rapid deployment of specialized staff in areas such as response coordination, information management, public information, civil-military coordination, and administration.

ROAP will continue to improve contingency planning in Asia and the Pacific by supporting in-country processes, including crisis communication planning. This will include assessing national capabilities, and engaging with partners concerned with disaster risk reduction management and the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action. Additionally, OCHA will plan for a potential Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) pandemic, adding one additional staff and continuing to host and directly support the United Nations Special Influenza Coordinator (UNSIC) with regional pandemic planning assets.

In 2007, ROAP will support and link country-level and regional advocacy initiatives relating to natural disasters and populations affected by conflict, improving understanding among key partners of the main elements of the Humanitarian Response Reform. This will involve providing training and briefing materials on the cluster system and CERF to regional partners. Efforts will be made to encourage cooperation and dialogue between humanitarian agencies and regional military/civil defence actors. Reporting on regional humanitarian concerns is being improved with greater risk analysis, early warning initiatives and broader coverage. A newly developed ROAP website will facilitate the distribution of information products.

Against this background, ROAP's key objectives for 2007 are as follows:

Effective human resource planning and management: ROAP will strengthen surge capacity through staff training. Increased preparedness: ROAP will ensure in-country contingency planning support to UN Country Teams in the region and will contribute to the development of AHI preparedness plans through support for UNSIC and pandemic planning efforts.

Improved implementation of Humanitarian Reform: ROAP will ensure training to UN Country Teams and NGOs on key elements of the Humanitarian Reform agenda (i.e. the CERF and cluster approach).

More coherent and sharpened advocacy on humanitarian issues and principles: OCHA will support improved awareness of the IASC guidelines on civil-military coordination among regional military and civil defence staff and humanitarian actors.

Key indicators for 2007

• Percent of deployable staff with adequate training in surge capacity by June 2007
• Number and percent of countries in the Asia Pacific region where planning support has been provided; percentage of countries with AHI preparedness plans
• Number and percent of requests received that meet all CERF criteria; number of clusters established and fully functioning within the region
• Number of key stakeholders amongst regional military and civil defence staff and humanitarian actors familiarised with IASC endorsed guidelines

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

OCHA's regional office in Latin America and Caribbean (ROLAC) covers all countries of Central and South America and the Caribbean. Three countries have an OCHA presence. The Latin America and Caribbean region is home to more than 560 million people and encompasses more than 20 million square kilometres of landmass. The region is prone to natural disasters: 3000 earthquakes with magnitude greater than 5.0 have been registered since 1900 and many tsunamis recorded in the Pacific Basin have originated in the west coast of Latin America. The region is still struggling to recover from 26 named tropical storms in 2005: the costliest, deadliest, strongest and longest hurricane season ever recorded in Central and North America and the Caribbean. Climate change is impacting the region, like others around the world, further challenging it with changes in the periodicity of weather related events such as heavy rains and drought. The human and economic cost of natural disasters is steep, with an average of five million people effected annually. Despite more than 20 years of democratic governments, many Latin American countries face real and potential crises due to profound inequality, serious poverty and stagnating economies.

One third of the population of the region is exposed to natural catastrophes and current capacities for national disaster management can be overestimated simply due to the number of existing disaster management organisations in the region. However, despite this presence and high public awareness related to disaster risks, the level of commitment by national authorities to fulfilling their obligations varies from country to country. Increasing numbers of actors at different levels and capacities with varying protocols are generating complexity in emergency coordination. The social and economic health of the region is shaped by an aggressive urbanisation trend with more than half the population living under conditions of poverty, marginalisation and uneven distribution of wealth - all factors that contribute to high levels of vulnerability and social unrest.

For several years, OCHA has been strengthening the disaster response capacity in the region, through the Resident Coordinator system, the United Nations Disaster Management Teams (UNDMT) and their operational component, the United Nations Emergency Technical Team (UNETT). On a pilot basis, National Disaster Response Advisors have been appointed to support emergency preparedness and response activities in Nicaragua and Guatemala.

Panama is an important hub for humanitarian organisations, and for OCHA. Since 2003, the OCHA regional office has led the regional task force for Risk, Emergency and Disasters for Latin America and the Caribbean (RED-LAC). Members of RED-LAC include UN Agencies, IFRC and International NGOs. The objective of this group is to establish coordination and emergency preparedness mechanisms among these partners and other key disaster management organizations by promoting humanitarian issues and information management procedures and through the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA).

ROLAC will carry out the complete mandate of OCHA in the region, including in areas of natural disaster preparedness and response, advocacy of humanitarian principles, civil-military partnership, information manage­ment and public information, early warning and early action. It will support OCHA field offices in Colombia and Haiti and will continue to work in support of a coordinated response to an outbreak of Avian and Human Influenza (AHI). Awareness of humanitarian needs as well as the core humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality and humanity, particularly in forgotten and under-funded emergencies, will be highlighted.

Against this background, ROLAC's key objectives for 2007 are as follows:

Strengthened in-country coordination: Within the overall objective of providing appropriate support to the UN RC system for emergency preparedness and response, ROLAC will particularly focus on strengthening the UNETT's role through a better recognition of their terms of reference by the UNCT, a systematic training of its members, including on UNDAC Standard Operational Procedures, and dissemination of an emergency preparedness kit. ROLAC will also advocate for the creation of country-level humanitarian partnership teams including strong NGO participation. Finally, ROLAC will provide guidelines and training on the cluster approach to UN Resident Coordinators, cluster lead agencies, UNDAC team and relevant partners during emergencies and will ensure that cluster coordination support frameworks are in place at least in five countries prior to emergencies.

Improved tools and services (to adapt to humanitarian reform outcomes): ROLAC will review and align emergency preparedness and response mechanisms and procedures with humanitarian reform priorities. Systematic and appropriate orientation and training will be provided to five countries and two regional organizations. ROLAC will also distribute CERF application guidelines and material to 20 countries as well as providing those to UN Resident Coordinators and cluster lead agencies during emergencies as required.

Strengthened regional emergency preparedness, response and coordination mechanisms and activities: ROLAC will work together with RED-LAC to ensure that Standard Operations Procedures of RED-LAC are implemented and to establish regional emergency preparedness priorities, emergency preparedness tools and services to be distributed in the region. The regional office will also define procedures and role of the ROLAC staff deployed with an UNDAC team and provide support and training on information management and humanitarian reform issues to UNDAC training and deployments. ROLAC will work with regional organizations, particularly Coordination of National Disaster Prevention in Central America (CEPREDENAC) on the strengthening of the Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Centers (CCAH). Finally, on the specific issue of Avian and Human Influenza (AHI), the regional office will develop standard operating procedures to strengthen disaster response preparedness at the regional level and will host one staff dedicated to AHI and pandemic preparedness.

More coherent and sharpened advocacy on humanitarian issues and principles: ROLAC will work together with regional partners to agree upon an inter-agency advocacy strategy on humanitarian issues relevant to the region. ROLAC will design and implement specific training and materials which will be provided and disseminated through an established network for information gathering and dissemination.

Increased and strengthened partnerships for humanitarian action: Within the overall objective of reinforcing information management, ROLAC will promote the use of shared information platforms and information collection mechanisms, particularly through the establish­ment of a regional humanitarian network and website (RED-HUM). Among other partners, ROLAC will work with the media to increase its awareness of humanitarian principles through the organisation of a regional workshop for journalists. Finally, in the area of sudden-onset emergencies, in particular earthquake response, ROLAC will work towards the increased awareness of the role of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group.

Key Indicators for 2007

• Number of countries where UNDMT / UNETT is using an updated inter-agency preparedness plan; number and percentage of new emergencies where the cluster approach is implemented
• Number and percent of tools or services aligned with humanitarian reform priorities; number and percent of requests received that meet all CERF criteria
• Number of emergency preparedness and response activities conducted with RED-LAC and other regional partners
• Number of national authority, UN system and other relevant partners' staff trained in basic humanitarian principles; number of OCHA articles, press briefings and op-eds published covering humanitarian issues and principles
• Number of active partners in the humanitarian information sharing network (RED-HUM); number of journalists trained on humanitarian principles in inter-agency workshops (including the Red Cross Movement and NGOs)