IASC Briefing: Funding the Front Lines: Efforts to Unlock and Disburse Funds in the COVID-19 Response
Geneva
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Watch the recording of the full briefing here: Recording of the IASC Briefing on Funding the Frontlines: Efforts to Unlock and Disburse Funds in the COVID-19 Response
View the presentation slides here: Presentation slides for the IASC Briefing on Funding the Front Lines: Efforts to Unlock and Disburse Funds in the COVID-19 Response
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COVID-19 has created a multi-dimensional crisis, with significant socio-economic impacts; food security, education and protection, among other issues of concern. NGOs are at the forefront of the COVID-19 response, especially local and national NGOs who play a crucial role in responding to the crisis, given their knowledge of the context and familiarity with the needs. The IASC is committed to supporting their efforts including by making available funds fast and at scale to enable them to respond to urgently needed humanitarian assistance and protection. This briefing was an opportunity to discuss some of the challenges faced and efforts underway to address them.
Moderator:
- Ms. Mervat Shelbaya, Head, Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) secretariat
Speakers:
- Mr. Win Tun Kyi, National Director, Karuna Mission Social Solidarity
- Ms. Anita Kattakuzhy, Humanitarian Policy Adviser, Oxfam
- Mr. Robert Hurt, Head of the Implementation Management and Assurance Service, UNHCR
- Ms. Alice Sequi, Chief, Pooled Fund Management Branch, OCHA
- Mr. Hong-won Yu, Counselor, Humanitarian Affairs, Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in Geneva
Speaker bios:
Mr. Win Tun Kyi, National Director, Karuna Mission Social Solidarity, Myanmar: Win Tun Kyi is the national director of Karuna Mission Social Solidarity. He serves as a Humanitarian Country Team and Country Based Pooled Fund Advisory Board member in Myanmar while also co-leading a capacity building initiative called LP2.
Ms. Anita Kattakuzhy, Humanitarian Policy Adviser, OXFAM: Anita Kattakuzhy is a Humanitarian Policy Advisor at Oxfam. Anita represents Oxfam in the Charter for Change advocacy group, Grand Bargain Workstream 2 for Localisation and in the IASC Results Group 5 on Humanitarian Financing.
Ms. Alice Sequi, Chief, Pooled Fund Management Branch, OCHA: Alice Sequi oversees OCHA’s Pooled Fund Management Branch encompassing the Central Emergency Response Fund and the Country Based Pooled Funds. Ms. Sequi previously served as OCHA's Head of Office in Ukraine and in Chad and worked for the International Red Cross and in the private sector.
Mr. Robert Hurt, Head of the Implementation Management and Assurance Service, UNHCR: Robert Hurt leads the Implementation Management and Assurance Service in UNHCR. Robert joined UNHCR in 2018 as the Senior Risk Management and Compliance Adviser. From 2004 to 2018, Robert performed several roles in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East including as Director of Planning and as Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon.
Mr. Hong-Won Yu, Counselor, Canada International: Hong-Won Yu is Counsellor, Humanitarian Affairs Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN in Geneva. He previously spent several years working in humanitarian operations in Africa with CARE and WFP. Having served in several positions with Canada’s International Humanitarian Assistance Bureau, he led the humanitarian programing team, the humanitarian policy team, and the NGO Relations and Natural Disaster Response Unit, among other responsibilities.