FAQ

	Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is 'OCHA'? What is 'ROLAC'? What does OCHA do? How can I contact the OCHA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean? Where can I get the latest humanitarian information? How can I work with the UN and/or OCHA? How can I volunteer to help the UN and/or OCHA? How can I donate money or relief items to OCHA? Where does OCHA work? What is 'IASC'? What is a 'Flash Appeal'? What is 'CERF'? Can I use text, images, maps etc. from the OCHA ROLAC website?
	What is 'OCHA'? OCHA is the 'Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs'. What is 'ROLAC'? ROLAC is the 'Regional Office for Latin American and the Caribbean'.
	What does OCHA do? OCHA was established to facilitate the work of operational agencies that deliver humanitarian assistance to populations and communities in need. OCHA supports UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators (RCs/HCs) with needs assessments, contingency planning and the formulation of humanitarian programmes. OCHA also provides response tools, advocacy and information services. The head of OCHA, as Emergency Relief Coordinator, chairs the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), which comprises all major humanitarian actors, including the Red Cross Movement and three non-governmental organizations (NGO) consortiums. By developing common policies, guidelines and standards, the IASC assures a coherent inter-agency response to complex emergencies and natural and environmental disasters. OCHA also chairs the Executive Committee for Humanitarian Affairs (ECHA) that makes recommendations to the Secretary-General and develops common UN position on humanitarian issues. How can I contact the OCHA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean? Please write to ocha-rolac@un.org, clearly stating your purpose, and your message will be forwarded to the appropriate person.
	Where can I get the latest humanitarian information? The most comprehensive and up-to-date source of humanitarian information are the OCHA ReliefWeb website, www.reliefweb.int, and the REDLAC Redhum website, www.redhum.org. For accurate and impartial reporting on humanitarian issues worldwide, please visit the OCHA IRIN website, www.irinnews.org. How can I work with the UN and/or OCHA? The OCHA ReliefWeb website is the most comprehensive and up-to-date source of vacancy information for UN and OCHA job vacancies. You may subscribe to receive a regular listing of the latest vacancies.
	How can I volunteer to help the UN and/or OCHA? The United Nations Volunteer (UNV) programme is the volunteer arm of the UN, providing skilled professional staff for all UN agencies including OCHA. Visit the UNV website to find out more about the programme, view see the latest vacancies and apply online. How can I donate money or relief items to OCHA? OCHA does not accept relief items, but does serve as a channel for cash contributions for immediate relief assistance in coordination with relevant organizations in the UN system. Please visit the OCHA Online website for detailed instructions on making cash donations to OCHA
	Where does OCHA work? OCHA has five regional offices: in Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok), Southern and Eastern Africa (Johannesburg), West and Central Africa (Dakar), Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia (Cairo), and Latin America and the Caribbean (Panama). OCHA has headquarters in New York and Geneva. OCHA operates through more than twenty field offices. There is a comprehensive map showing all OCHA offices at the OCHA Online website. What is 'IASC'? The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) is an inter-agency forum for coordination, policy development and decision-making involving key UN and non-UN humanitarian partners. Under the leadership of the Emergency Relief Coordinator, the IASC develops humanitarian policies, agrees on a clear division of responsibility for the various aspects of humanitarian assistance, identifies and addresses gaps in response, and advocates for effective application of humanitarian principles. For more information please visit the IASC website.
	What is a 'Flash Appeal'? The Flash Appeal is a tool for structuring a coordinated humanitarian response for the first three to six months of an emergency. UN Resident or Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) triggers a Flash Appeal in consultation with other stakeholders and it is usually issued within a week of an emergency. Flash Appeals provide a concise overview of urgent life saving needs, and may include recovery projects that can be implemented within the timeframe of the appeal. Please visit the Humanitarian Appeal website for more information about Flash Appeals. What is 'CERF'? The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is a stand-by fund established by the UN to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. The CERF is funded by voluntary contributions from around the globe from UN Member States, private businesses, foundations and individuals. The CERF allows the UN to react immediately when a disaster strikes by making funding available for life-saving activities. Please visit the CERF website for more information.
	Can I use text, images, maps etc. from the OCHA ROLAC website? You may in principle use content from the ROLAC website for non-commercial purposes. Please credit “OCHA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean” where applicable. Please contact ocha-rolac@un.org with specific queries about the use of content from the OCHA ROLAC website.