What We Do * Public Information & Advocacy
Monday, February 13, 2012   
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Regional advocacy priorities

Key advocacy priorities for ROAP include the humanitarian impact of specific natural disasters or conflicts, as well longstanding and sensitive situations like Myanmar, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and neglected crises such as displacement caused by conflict in Mindanao in the Philippines.

Disaster and pandemic preparedness is another central advocacy theme, as is the impact of climate change already being felt by communities in the region.

OCHA also advocates with Member States on adherence to humanitarian principles such as humanitarian access and protection of civilians, and on the broader use of tools including guidelines on use of military and civil defence assets in emergencies, and greater participation in disaster response mechanisms such as UNDAC and INSARAG.

Working with the donor community in the region, OCHA has established and continues to develop partnerships with regional donor counterparts on information exchange, contacts, and coordinated public information outreach. We also support efforts to encourage countries such as Brunei, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, among others, to engage in ‘Good Humanitarian Donorship’ through support of CERF and other funding mechanisms.

ROAP continues to play a key role in rolling out the principles and practice of the humanitarian reform agenda with partners in the region. From the Public Information perspective, we are engaged in familiarizing humanitarian response stakeholders with the overall concept and specific elements such as understanding how the CERF works, or the implications for advocacy coordination, to help build their preparedness capacity. We also work with the IASC and cluster lead agencies to improve the capacity of Public Information staff in the field so that Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators have reliable support in fulfilling their advocacy obligations.

Advocacy in Action
  • Disaster response

    During emergencies ROAP ensures that the press and public are well-informed about the situation and response. Advocacy for humanitarian issues and principles raises awareness and gives a voice to the most vulnerable. Information products including press releases, situation reports, and maps are used in conjunction with OCHA online services such as the Virtual OSOCC, Reliefweb and IRIN.

    Public information and advocacy coordination in disasters: why?

    • Resource mobilization increased – coherent, strong messages on needs
    • Media/donor relations engaged for longer, more efficiently – focus attention on needs and challenges
    • Cluster system better established – public information coordination supports their work
    • Stakeholders expect credible, unified advocacy and information from the UN


  • Disaster Preparedness

    It is clear that governments, communities, and other humanitarian stakeholders who engage in preparedness activities and education are better equipped to handle the impact of emergencies. The Regional Office for Asia and Pacific works with a variety of partners to ensure awareness is raised, preparedness challenges and achievements are highlighted by UN and other media, and communications capacity is improved.

    Public information and advocacy preparedness activities: why?

    • Strengthened capacity of Inter-Agency Standing Committee Country Teams to respond more effectively and coherently
    • Partnerships developed to support effective response and improved targeted media coverage
    • Operationalized contingency planning mainstreams public information and advocacy preparedness
    • Supports governments and communities in better disaster preparedness to mitigate impact
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Humanitarian Advocacy

One of OCHA’s key mandates is ‘to advocate for the rights of the people in need, and promote preparedness and prevention’. Four key priority areas are:

  • Mobilizing attention to and support for neglected crises

    • This means reminding the world of the humanitarian impact of crises or conflicts which are rarely reported, or are always reported from the same perspective

  • Improving access to and protection of civilians in need

    • This means ensuring that civilians affected by natural disasters or conflicts receive the relief goods and services they need, and that their rights are protected

  • Improving preparedness in and response to natural disasters

    • This means working with governments, UN agencies, the Red Cross. Red Crescent Movement, militaries, NGOs and other humanitarian partners to ensure that they are better prepared to respond to major emergencies, and can better assist those affected.

  • Strengthening understanding of the ‘humanitarian’ identity

    • This means helping other partners involved in disaster response to understand what the purpose and principles of humanitarian action are, and what OCHA’s role is.

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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