Humanitarian Coordination

  • IASC Reference Module for the Implementation of The Humanitarian Programme Cycle, 2015

    Document Type: 
    IASC Product
    Product Category: 
    Humanitarian Coordination
    Authoring Bodies: 
    IASC Transformative Agenda
    Published Date: 
    August 27, 2015

    The IASC Reference Module for the Implementation of the Humanitarian Program Cycle defines the roles and responsibilities of international humanitarian actors and the way that they interact with each other, national and local authorities, civil society and with people affected by crises.

    The reference module is formed around the six key elements of the humanitarian program cycle and two enablers:

    Key elements:

    1. Emergency Response Preparedness
    2. Needs Assessment and Analysis
    3. Strategic Response Planning
    4. Implementation and Monitoring
    5. Resource Mobilization
    6. Operational Peer Review and Evaluation

    Enablers:

    1. Coordination
    2. Information Management

    This Reference Module provides a standard and adaptable set of tools for use in humanitarian crises globally.

    The 2015 document supersedes the first version of the same name from 2013.

  • Handbook for RCs and HCs on Emergency Preparedness and Response

    Document Type: 
    IASC Product
    Product Category: 
    Humanitarian Coordination
    Authoring Bodies: 
    Leadership and Humanitarian Coordination
    Published Date: 
    March 25, 2011
    This handbook outlines key actions that Resident Coordinators (RCs) and Humanitarian Coordinators (HCs) should take to prepare for and respond to emergencies. It outlines what the RC/HCs are accountable for, and actions that need to be taken. 
    The handbook consists of four parts: 
    1) The first part is on disaster risk reduction (DRR) or how to lead and coordinate efforts to strengthen country-level commitment to and capacities for disaster risk reduction 
    2) The second part is on preparedness or how to lead and coordinate efforts to strengthen national capacity to respond to emergencies, inter-agency contingency planning and preparedness activities 
    3) The third part describes practical tools and mechanisms for emergency response 
    4) The fourth part gives a background on cross-cutting issues such as age, diversity, environment, gender equality, HIV/AIDS, mental health and psychosocial support 

  • Checklist for RCs and HCs on Emergency Preparedness and Response

    Document Type: 
    IASC Product
    Product Category: 
    Humanitarian Coordination
    Authoring Bodies: 
    Leadership and Humanitarian Coordination
    Published Date: 
    March 25, 2011
    In any type of humanitarian emergency it is crucial to act fast in order to save lives.  The checklist is a supplement to the handbook for RCs and HCs on Emergency Preparedness and Response. This checklist provides guidance to RCs and HCs who are confronted with any type of humanitarian emergency. It maps out actions to take to prepare and to respond to an emergency.  
    The checklist is split into two time frames: 
    1) Actions to take within 24 hours such as alerting OCHA, contacting the government and relevant figures, assessing the capacity of your office, forming an Humanitarian Country Team, coordinating response, ascertaining donor intentions, and accessing and contacting the media. 
    2) Actions to take within the first week of an emergency such as the possibility for cluster roll out, needs assessments, response planning, coordinating response activities, engaging and advocating with donors, developing Flash Appeals and contacting the government. 

  • Guidance for Humanitarian Country Teams

    Document Type: 
    IASC Product
    Product Category: 
    Humanitarian Coordination
    Authoring Bodies: 
    Leadership and Humanitarian Coordination
    Published Date: 
    March 22, 2010
    The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) is the centrepiece of the humanitarian coordination architecture. A well functioning HCT that is timely, effective and efficient, and contributes to longer-term recovery will alleviate human suffering and protect the lives, livelihoods and dignity of populations in need. The document aims to provide guidance that can be tailored to specific country situations, as necessary and includes:
    1) Establishment and disestablishment of a Humanitarian Country Team 
    2) Responsibilities, such as agreeing on common strategic issues, agreeing on common policies and promoting adherence 
    3) Composition of the Humanitarian Country Team
    4) Chairmanship of the Humanitarian Country Team 
    5) Modus operandi 
    6) Interface with other in-country coordination mechanisms

  • Strengthening the Humanitarian Coordinator's System: What is our goal and how do we get there?

    Document Type: 
    IASC Product
    Product Category: 
    Humanitarian Coordination
    Authoring Bodies: 
    Principals
    Published Date: 
    April 24, 2006

    In order to ensure that the humanitarian community, as represented by the IASC, is collectively able to identify, mentor, select, train, appoint and hold individuals accountable, and that it can deliver the most effective leadership in humanitarian emergencies, the IASC Principals in 2006 came up with five key points designed to strengthen the Humanitarian Coordinator system.

    The five key points followed by action points are:
    1) Strengthened commitment to coordination at the field level by all humanitarian partners
    2) Greater inclusiveness, transparency and ownership in the appointment of Humanitarian Coordinators
    3) Clearer accountability of Humanitarian Coordinators to the humanitarian community.
    4) Appropriate training and induction are in place to prepare and support Humanitarian Coordinators to take over their functions
    5) Humanitarian Coordinators are adequately supported in their work

  • Strengthening the Humanitarian Coordinator's System: What is our goal and how do we get there?

    Document Type: 
    IASC Product
    Product Category: 
    Humanitarian Coordination
    Authoring Bodies: 
    About Principals
    Published Date: 
    April 24, 2006

    In order to ensure that the humanitarian community, as represented by the IASC, is collectively able to identify, mentor, select, train, appoint and hold individuals accountable, and that it can deliver the most effective leadership in humanitarian emergencies, the IASC Principals in 2006 came up with five key points designed to strengthen the Humanitarian Coordinator system.

    The five key points followed by action points are:
    1) Strengthened commitment to coordination at the field level by all humanitarian partners
    2) Greater inclusiveness, transparency and ownership in the appointment of Humanitarian Coordinators
    3) Clearer accountability of Humanitarian Coordinators to the humanitarian community.
    4) Appropriate training and induction are in place to prepare and support Humanitarian Coordinators to take over their functions
    5) Humanitarian Coordinators are adequately supported in their work

  • Strategic Humanitarian Coordination in the Great Lakes, 1996-1997: An Independent Assessment

    Document Type: 
    IASC Product
    Product Category: 
    Humanitarian Coordination
    Authoring Bodies: 
    Focal Points
    Published Date: 
    May 19, 1998

    This report examines developments in the humanitarian situation and actions taken by the international community in the Great Lakes Region of Central Africa from 1996-1997.  During this time, the region witnessed dramatic developments in a political, security, social and humanitarian crisis—including in Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and Zaire.  The assessment asserted that the International political response to the crisis, at the time, ranged from permissive to passive to partial.  The report also warned that the reputation of humanitarian action and actors had been sullied by humanitarian operations in the region. 

    Lessons learned from this time are still be applicable to humanitarian action today, particularly in areas of protracted crisis.  As the assessment affirms, continued international failure to tackle the political and security dimensions of the crisis, combined with sustained use of humanitarian assistance in the resultant policy vacuum, undermines the credibility, reputation, and long-term viability of humanitarian action. They can have deleterious consequence for the people that humanitarian action aims to protect and assist.  To read more about the assessment, including a summary of UN operations and coordination efforts in the region, as well as critical gaps identified during this time—and measure necessary to improve humanitarian action—you may find more detailed information in the link below.

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