United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination The International Emergency Response system

United NationsDisaster Assessment and Coordination

The InternationalThe International

Emergency ResponseEmergency Response

systemsystem


The Emergency Environment The Emergency Environment in a Natural Disasterin a Natural Disaster

• triggered by a sudden, unpredictable natural eventtriggered by a sudden, unpredictable natural event

• damaged communications and infrastructuredamaged communications and infrastructure

• casualties amongst local decision makerscasualties amongst local decision makers

• overwhelming needs with competing prioritiesoverwhelming needs with competing priorities

• highly stressed officials highly stressed officials

• outburst of uncoordinated mutual assistanceoutburst of uncoordinated mutual assistance

• influx of international assistance and competition..influx of international assistance and competition..

• The glare of the mediaThe glare of the media


Tenets of International Natural disaster responseTenets of International Natural disaster response

• All International Assistance is in support of All International Assistance is in support of National Authorities - on requestNational Authorities - on request

• The UN General Assembly has mandated the The UN General Assembly has mandated the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) to Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) to coordinate International Responsecoordinate International Response

• Bilateral Assistance predominatesBilateral Assistance predominates


Stakeholders in ResponseStakeholders in Response

• the affected population

• the local and national government

• national NGOs

• international NGOs

• the United Nations

• bilateral responders (the donors)

• international military assets (if requested)


The organisation of The organisation of international disaster responseinternational disaster response

Disaster affected country

• National disaster relief coord.

• Embassies

• UN agencies’ reps.

• National Red Cross/Crescent

• National NGO’s

International response

• Donor governments

• UN agencies

• Red Cross family.

• International NGO’s

•Others (including military)

OCHAGeneva (DRB)

Information onneeds/donations

Information onneeds/donations

Representatives ofOCHA (ResReps/UNDAC

Relief assistance


The Levels of CoordinationThe Levels of Coordination

NationalNationalOn-On-SiteSite

InternationalInternational

Link the on-site level to the....


In-country UN Relief StructureIn-country UN Relief Structure

UNDPUNDP

UNHCRUNHCR UNICEFUNICEF

WFPWFP WHOWHO

OCHAOCHA

UN UN RES COORDRES COORD DMTDMT


Evolution of International Disaster ResponseEvolution of International Disaster Response

19711971 UN General Assembly Resolution 2816 (XXVI)UN General Assembly Resolution 2816 (XXVI)

1988 Armenia Earthquake => 1988 Armenia Earthquake => INSARAGINSARAG (1991) (1991) INSARAG identified the need for: INSARAG identified the need for:

• an international team for coordination, assessment and information an international team for coordination, assessment and information management =>management =>UNDACUNDAC (1993) (1993)

• an On-Site Operations Coordination Centre =>an On-Site Operations Coordination Centre =>OSOCC OSOCC formed by the formed by the UNDAC TeamUNDAC Team

• International cooperation amongst other response networks INSARAG + International cooperation amongst other response networks INSARAG + MCDA + PfP + Agencies => MCDA + PfP + Agencies => IERCMIERCM (1998) (1998)

• International Guidelines for urban Search and Rescue (1999)International Guidelines for urban Search and Rescue (1999)

19991999 Colombia & Turkey earthquake=> OSOCC, Virtual Colombia & Turkey earthquake=> OSOCC, Virtual OSOCCOSOCC


Structure of INSARAG Structure of INSARAG

ChairpersonSecretary

Representatives from regional groups, permanent working groups and IFRC

Regional Chairperson

Members(Countries, Institutions)

Permanent

or

Ad Hoc



Regional GroupRegional Group forfor

AmericasAmericas

Regional GroupRegional Group forfor

Africa/EuropeAfrica/Europe

Regional GroupRegional Group for for

Asia/PacificAsia/Pacific

InterregionalInterregional working working groupsgroups



Steering GroupSteering Group


The UNDAC ConceptThe UNDAC Concept• Primarily for Natural Disaster ResponsePrimarily for Natural Disaster Response• Stand-by capacity available worldwideStand-by capacity available worldwide

• Immediate deployment (12 - 24 hours)Immediate deployment (12 - 24 hours)

• On-site Coordination in first phase of disasterOn-site Coordination in first phase of disaster

• Assessment/Processing/Dissemination of InformationAssessment/Processing/Dissemination of Information

• Deployed for 2 - 3 weeks onlyDeployed for 2 - 3 weeks only• In support of National Authorities and UN Resident In support of National Authorities and UN Resident

CoordinatorCoordinator


The UNDAC SystemThe UNDAC System• SStafftaff Experienced emergency managers made Experienced emergency managers made

available for UNDAC missions by available for UNDAC missions by their their

respective respective governments/organizations.governments/organizations.

• Deployment:Deployment: Standard practiced procedures Standard practiced procedures

• Equipment:Equipment: For mission use immediately availableFor mission use immediately available

• Methodology:Methodology: Ensured standardized methodology by Ensured standardized methodology by

training in coordination, training in coordination, assessment andassessment andinformation managementinformation management

--


The UNDAC StaffThe UNDAC Staff

• Experienced Emergency Managers with varied Experienced Emergency Managers with varied skills as a part of a team (not consultants).skills as a part of a team (not consultants).

•Available at 12 hours notice for 3 weeksAvailable at 12 hours notice for 3 weeks

• $ 1 a year contract with OCHA (FCSU)$ 1 a year contract with OCHA (FCSU)

• All Mission and training costs paid for by All Mission and training costs paid for by member countries / organisationsmember countries / organisations


Countries/Organisations in the UNDAC SystemCountries/Organisations in the UNDAC System

AustraliaAustraliaAustriaAustriaCanadaCanadaDenmarkDenmarkFinlandFinlandGermanyGermanyIcelandIcelandNorwayNorwaySingaporeSingaporeSwedenSwedenSwitzerlandSwitzerlandUKUKOCHA OCHA WHOWHO

United StatesUnited StatesKenyaKenyaUNICEFUNICEFWFPWFPIFRCIFRCUNDPUNDP

Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, VenezuelaVenezuela, Cook Islands, Fiji, PNG, Samoa, Solomon , Cook Islands, Fiji, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Zambia , EstoniaIslands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Zambia , Estonia

131 Active members from 32 131 Active members from 32 Countries and 5 international Countries and 5 international humanitarian organizations humanitarian organizations

plus OCHAplus OCHA

Under DiscussionUnder Discussion


76 UNDAC Missions since 199376 UNDAC Missions since 1993


UNDACUNDAC MissionsMissions in Latin Americain Latin AmericaUNDACUNDAC MissionsMissions in Latin Americain Latin America• Ecuador. EarthquakeEcuador. Earthquake 02 - 24Apr 199602 - 24Apr 1996• Guyana: FloodsGuyana: Floods 18 - 31 Jul 199618 - 31 Jul 1996• Nicaragua: FloodsNicaragua: Floods 2 - 28 Aug 19962 - 28 Aug 1996• Honduras: FloodsHonduras: Floods 26 Nov - 6 Dec 199626 Nov - 6 Dec 1996• Ecuador: FloodsEcuador: Floods 28 Nov - 12 Dec 199728 Nov - 12 Dec 1997• Paraguay: FloodsParaguay: Floods 12 - 20 Jan 199812 - 20 Jan 1998• Brazil: Forest firesBrazil: Forest fires 28 Mar - 15 Apr 199828 Mar - 15 Apr 1998• Honduras: Hurricane MitchHonduras: Hurricane Mitch 01 - 21 Nov 199801 - 21 Nov 1998• Nicaragua: Hurricane MitchNicaragua: Hurricane Mitch 03 - 21 Nov 199803 - 21 Nov 1998• Guatemala: Hurricane MitchGuatemala: Hurricane Mitch03 - 21 Nov 199803 - 21 Nov 1998• El Salvador: Hurricane MitchEl Salvador: Hurricane Mitch 04 - 21 Nov04 - 21 Nov 19981998• Colombia: EarthquakeColombia: Earthquake 27 Jan - 16 Feb 199927 Jan - 16 Feb 1999• Bolivia: Forest firesBolivia: Forest fires 31 Aug - 8 Sep 199931 Aug - 8 Sep 1999• Venezuela: landslidesVenezuela: landslides 16 Dec - 6 Jan 1999/200016 Dec - 6 Jan 1999/2000 • Paraguay: droughtParaguay: drought 13 Mar - 30 Apr 200013 Mar - 30 Apr 2000


UNDACUNDAC MissionsMissions 20002000UNDACUNDAC MissionsMissions 20002000• Venezuela: landslidesVenezuela: landslides 16 Dec - 6 Jan 16 Dec - 6 Jan (OCHA, UNDP, Venezuela 3)(OCHA, UNDP, Venezuela 3)

• China: earthquakeChina: earthquake 11 - 28 Feb 2000 11 - 28 Feb 2000 (OCHA, DK, Norway, WHO)(OCHA, DK, Norway, WHO)

• Mozambique: floodsMozambique: floods 12 - 25 Feb 12 - 25 Feb (OCHA, Aus, UK, Zam, WFP)(OCHA, Aus, UK, Zam, WFP)

• Danube: cyanide spillDanube: cyanide spill 21 Feb - 8 Mar 21 Feb - 8 Mar (OCHA 2, UK 2)(OCHA 2, UK 2)

• Mozambique: floodsMozambique: floods 28 Feb - 13 Mar 28 Feb - 13 Mar (UK, Aut, Fin, Nor, Zambia)(UK, Aut, Fin, Nor, Zambia)

• Mozambique: floodsMozambique: floods 9 - 30 Mar 9 - 30 Mar (OCHA, DK, Finland, Sweden)(OCHA, DK, Finland, Sweden)

• Hungary: toxic spillHungary: toxic spill 13 - 18 Mar 13 - 18 Mar (OCHA, Swiss 3)(OCHA, Swiss 3)

• Paraguay: droughtParaguay: drought 13 Mar - 30 Apr 13 Mar - 30 Apr (Paraguay 3)(Paraguay 3)• Eritrea: complex emerg. Eritrea: complex emerg. 23 May - 11 Jun 23 May - 11 Jun (Norway, Zambia)(Norway, Zambia)

• Indonesia: earthquake Indonesia: earthquake 6 - 19 Jun 6 - 19 Jun ((Aus 2, Fiji, Iceland, Sing.)Aus 2, Fiji, Iceland, Sing.)

• Cambodia: FloodsCambodia: Floods 18 Sep - 2 Oct 18 Sep - 2 Oct (OCHA, Canada, Denmark)(OCHA, Canada, Denmark)

• Vietnam: FloodsVietnam: Floods 29 Sep - 18 Oct29 Sep - 18 Oct (OCHA 2, UK, NL, Sweden)(OCHA 2, UK, NL, Sweden)


On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC)On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC)On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC)On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC)• Provide a coordination link between national authorities and international Provide a coordination link between national authorities and international

responders on site (UN Agencies, NGO’s, SAR Teams etc. )responders on site (UN Agencies, NGO’s, SAR Teams etc. )

• Facilitate information exchange between international and national relief Facilitate information exchange between international and national relief entities (facilitate meetings, situation maps, collate reports)entities (facilitate meetings, situation maps, collate reports)

• In SAR operations establish sub-OSOCC and Reception Centre when neededIn SAR operations establish sub-OSOCC and Reception Centre when needed

• Facilitate logistics support in cooperation with national authorities.Facilitate logistics support in cooperation with national authorities.

• Facilitate coordination between relief entities and international military Facilitate coordination between relief entities and international military assets.assets.

• Provide a coordination link between national authorities and international Provide a coordination link between national authorities and international responders on site (UN Agencies, NGO’s, SAR Teams etc. )responders on site (UN Agencies, NGO’s, SAR Teams etc. )

• Facilitate information exchange between international and national relief Facilitate information exchange between international and national relief entities (facilitate meetings, situation maps, collate reports)entities (facilitate meetings, situation maps, collate reports)

• In SAR operations establish sub-OSOCC and Reception Centre when neededIn SAR operations establish sub-OSOCC and Reception Centre when needed

• Facilitate logistics support in cooperation with national authorities.Facilitate logistics support in cooperation with national authorities.

• Facilitate coordination between relief entities and international military Facilitate coordination between relief entities and international military assets.assets.

OSOSOOCCCC


The On-Site Operations Coordination CentreThe On-Site Operations Coordination Centre

National Authorities

International Organisations

Implementing Headquarters

OSOCC Management

Support Manager

Administration

Tele Commu-nications

Transport

Coordination Manager

Operation & programs

Information management

Security & safety Accommodation

Reception Centre

Sub OSOCC (s)

OSOSOOCCCC

Civil - MilitaryOperations Centre


TimeTime

Need for Need for AssistanceAssistance Military and Civil Defence AssetsMilitary and Civil Defence Assets

““Normal” Disaster ReliefNormal” Disaster Relief

ReconstructionReconstruction

Use of Military and Civil Defence AssetsUse of Military and Civil Defence Assets

DisasterDisaster


• Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets in Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets in Disaster ReliefDisaster Relief

• ““Oslo Guidelines” of 1994 ( under revision 2000)Oslo Guidelines” of 1994 ( under revision 2000)

• OCHA Military and Civil Defense Unit (MCDU)OCHA Military and Civil Defense Unit (MCDU)

• Focal Point to support preparednessFocal Point to support preparedness

• Register of Service ModulesRegister of Service Modules

• High-level SeminarsHigh-level Seminars

• Civil and Military Cooperation (CIMIC) CoursesCivil and Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Courses

Use of Military and Civil Defence AssetsUse of Military and Civil Defence Assets


Main features of the OSLO GuidelinesMain features of the OSLO GuidelinesMain features of the OSLO GuidelinesMain features of the OSLO Guidelines 1)1) Military/Civil Defence assets to be used only when Civilian Military/Civil Defence assets to be used only when Civilian

assets are unable to cope.assets are unable to cope.

2)2) Military assets only provided at request of, or with consent Military assets only provided at request of, or with consent of receiving state.of receiving state.

3)3) The assets are provided free of charge.The assets are provided free of charge.

4)4) Military units can wear national uniform but should not Military units can wear national uniform but should not carry carry arms.arms.

5)5) The military assets are only deployed for the duration of The military assets are only deployed for the duration of the emergency and withdrawn immediately afterwards.the emergency and withdrawn immediately afterwards.


Some IssuesSome Issues

• The Politics of Humanitarian AssistanceThe Politics of Humanitarian Assistance

• Globalisation of Public OpinionGlobalisation of Public Opinion

• Transparency and AccountabilityTransparency and Accountability

• The Military in Humanitarian OperationsThe Military in Humanitarian Operations

• One among many One among many

• The military MissionThe military Mission

• Coordination within the AORCoordination within the AOR

• Preparation and Training Preparation and Training


Real emergencies always occur on Friday evenings

or over weekends

Documents

United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination The International Emergency Response system