What We Do * IASC Humanitarian Network for Asia-Pacific
Monday, February 13, 2012   
 IASC Humanitarian Network for Asia-Pacific Minimize

Supporting regional inter-agency coordination

 

The IASC Humanitarian Network for Asia-Pacific is a regional-level coordinating forum for humanitarian partners dedicated to disaster preparedness and response in Asia and the Pacific. It serves to improve inter-agency coordination and information exchange, in line with the Humanitarian Reform launched by the international humanitarian community in 2005. OCHA ROAP provides secretariat support to the Network.
 
The core membership of the Network consists of regional representatives of Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) members, including non-governmental organizations, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement and the United Nations system. Thinking flexibly beyond their organizational mandates, the members aim to assist UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinators, Humanitarian Country Teams / IASC, national governments and national NGO partners in their efforts to enhance inter-agency preparedness, response and early recovery capacity in the region – whether by supporting and helping to resource government-led contingency planning processes or by addressing communication gaps between humanitarians at the global and country levels.

The IASC Network works towards:

  • Strengthening inter-agency preparedness, response and early recovery capacity within the region.
  • Facilitating discussion on humanitarian issues of common concern and advancing key initiatives.
  • Supporting countries to determine and develop emergency preparedness plans and structures which are relevant to their needs.
  • Providing a platform for sharing resources, training and capacity-building in emergency response between key actors.
  • Coordinating support by regional IASC actors for sudden-onset emergencies and ongoing operations.

Contact the Network

For further information, please visit the Network’s Google Group site (registration required).
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Advocacy and awareness raising for Humanitarian Reform

The Humanitarian Reform aims to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian response through ensuring greater predictability, accountability and partnership. The Network raises awareness and understanding of the key elements of the Reform among regional partners.

Ensuring Partnership

The Network fosters broad participation in humanitarian action by IASC members. This reflects the Principles of Partnership developed by the Global Humanitarian Platform, ensuring that roles and responsibilities among humanitarian partners are worked out through transparent, inclusive and consultative processes.

Promoting inter-agency initiatives

Active information sharing on organizational objectives and activities often leads to joining efforts on common initiatives. This in turn provides a common frame of reference for further synergistic coordination. The Network is a forum for the exchange of plans, and an opportunity for members to contribute both technically and financially to a more coordinated effort.

Knowledge networking and good practices

Coordination at the regional level adds distinct value in the area of knowledge networking by connecting people and sharing best practices cross-country. The Network meets regularly in Bangkok and on-line to discuss issues of common concern, providing a platform for sharing lessons identified across the region and embedding them into changed practice for humanitarian work.
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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