FAQ

How long has OCHA been in Somalia?

OCHA’s presence in Somalia dates back to 1999 with the establishment of a UN Coordination Unit. A full-fledged OCHA office came into being in 2003. Since 1999, OCHA’s coordination role has grown in relevance as well as in size as the humanitarian situation has developed in the country. In the last years, as Somalia has experienced over three years of consecutive drought, the tsunami, floods, continued inter/intra clan violence, chronic food insecurity, environmental degradation, displacement and most recently widespread fighting, OCHA Somalia has increasingly expanded and persevered in its efforts to mobilise and coordinate an effective and principled inter-agency humanitarian response.

How many OCHA Offices are there in Somalia?

At the beginning of 2007, OCHA Somalia’s field presence included 8 sub-offices with 4 international and 7 national staff members. These are:

Puntland: Garowe and Bossaso
Somaliland: Hargheisa
South/Central: Dolow, Baidoa, Wajid, Jamame, Mogadishu

The field offices are supported by a central office in Nairobi.

What does OCHA do in a complex emergency like Somalia?

OCHA plays a critical role in supporting a coordinated response to an emergency by the aid community. Humanitarian coordination is based on the belief that a coherent approach to emergency response will maximise its benefits and minimise potential pitfalls, such as duplication or aid response gaps. A coordinated response will facilitate development of common strategies and joint responses thus maximisation of resources. OCHA promotes the respect for and compliance with humanitarian principles, in particular for the protection of vulnerable civilian populations. Advocacy is a key element to bringing international attention and support to crises but also engagement and commitment by national and local authorities. OCHA is particularly invested in securing unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access to vulnerable populations in need of assistance.

What are OCHA Somalia’s priorities for 2007?

In 2007, OCHA will continue to conduct and lead interagency assessment missions, identify priority needs, and facilitate the planning of common responses to affected populations. In this regard, OCHA will seek to provide strong field coordination for the further strengthening of the cluster approach it helped establish in 2006 in-country with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Additionally, and security permitting, OCHA will shift attention, resources, and staff to the South/Central regions where the greatest needs and highest levels of vulnerability are found. It will continue to support grass-roots local reconciliation initiatives and negotiate humanitarian access with the relevant authorities, particularly in South/Central where access is limited due to insecurity. OCHA will continue to promote humanitarian principles, and a ‘do no harm’ approach in all humanitarian interventions. It will work to highlight the dire humanitarian situation and advocate for better allocation of financial resources across all sectors. In addition, it will coordinate the implementation of the joint IDP strategy to make a difference in the deplorable IDP situation, and make authorities accountable to contributing to a protective environment.

Specifically, OCHA Somalia has the following objectives for 2007:

Strengthen coordination and sustainable access to basic humanitarian services for the most vulnerable populations, in a state of humanitarian emergency and food and livelihood crisis, or displaced.
Increase emphasis on early recovery in parts of Somalia transitioning from an emergency phase to rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Strengthen humanitarian advocacy based on humanitarian principles, and improve resource mobilization.
Improve level of preparedness of humanitarian partners and local communities to respond to natural disasters and complex emergencies.
Enhance protection of and respect for the human rights and dignity of IDPs, minorities, women, and vulnerable communities.

How do I find out about job opportunities with OCHA?

OCHA posts all of its international vacancies on Relief Web.