IASC Weekly (NY) - Humanitarian situation in the Comoros and the Philippines; Community-Based Psychosocial Support; and
New York
Agenda:
11:00 – 11:30 Update on Humanitarian Situation in the Comoros
Mr. Douglas Cotts, Resident Coordinator, will provide an update on the current humanitarian situation in Comoros.
11:30 – 11:45 Update on Humanitarian Situation in the Philippines
Ms. Agnes Asekenye-Oonyu, Chief of the Asia and Pacific Section in OCHA, will brief on the response to recent natural disasters such as Tropical Storm Washi, and on the ongoing conflict in Mindanao and its humanitarian ramifications for partners in the Philippines.
11:45 – 12:15 Community-Based Psychosocial Support
Mr. Saji Thomas, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, will discuss the recent developments in the field of community-based psychosocial support. He will also provide the IASC Guidelines on the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.
12:15 – 12:30 ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment
Ms. Rania Hadra, Humanitarian Affairs Officer in the Policy Development and Studies Branch of OCHA, will brief on the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment preparation for the Secretary-General’s report on Strengthening of the Coordination of Emergency Humanitarian Assistance of the United Nations.
12:30 – 12:45 Q & A and Discussion
Ms. Christelle Loupforest, Head of the IASC/ECHA Secretariat, will facilitate a Q&A session and discussion.
Meeting Documents
Update on Humanitarian Situation in the Comoros
Comoros: Comoros is considered one of the world’s poorest and least developed nations; the country lacks adequate infrastructure capacity necessary for development. On 8 May 2012, torrential rainfall caused heavy floods in the region, causing devastation on water supply and agricultural land. Due to water shortages and poor sanitation, there remains a high risk for a cholera outbreak.
Relevant Documents
Update on Humanitarian Situation in the Philippines
In December 2011, Tropical Storm Washi struck the Philippines, affecting 624,600 people, and causing over 1,400 deaths and severe damage to households, agricultural land and infrastructure. The region of Mindanao, has a long history of conflict. As a result, four out of ten households were reportedly displaced from 2000 to 2010.
Community-Based Psychosocial Support
Community-Based Psychosocial Support: Is there enough evidence of sufficient programming in the area of community-based psychosocial support and what are some of the main challenges? Mr. Saji Thomas will discuss these and other questions, which are rarely talked about. The IASC Guidelines on the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings offer pivotal advice to facilitate an appropriate response to mental health and psychosocial issues in emergency situations.
ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment
ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment (HAS): This year’s ECOSOC HAS will take place from 18-20 July 2012 in New York. From the Secretary-General’s report on Strengthening of the Coordination of Emergency Humanitarian Assistance of the United Nations, the humanitarian field must address two significant challenges: data-driven decision-making and strengthening partnership building for effective humanitarian assistance.
Relevant Documents