Overview of inter-agency working mechanisms (18 March 2004) Denomination Brief description/comments WHO Focal Point(s) WHO Objectives ECOSOC

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1 ECOSOC Segment **** HLWG** Liaison Working Group The Segment of the UN Economic and Social Council, five years after its inception allows for substantial debates with all stakeholders involved in humanitarian assistance, e.g. donors, recipient countries and agencies. In order to alleviate suffering in crises, health was recognized in 2003 as one of the crucial areas to be addressed through cooperation. The HLWG composed of major donors 1 and UN agencies, the Red Cross Movement, IGOs and NGOs 2 meets regularly in New York and Geneva to discuss issues of common concern/interest at the Ambassadorial and Technical level. Norway currently chairs the Geneva meetings. Within WHO, the gatekeeper for the ECOSOC Segment is HAC in Geneva. David Nabarro, Representative of the DG for Health Action in Crises, Nabarrod@who.int Within WHO, the gatekeeper for HLWG meetings in Geneva is HAC David Nabarro, Nabarrod@who.int V. Pressley-Guillot, pressleyguillotv@who.int Keeping health high on the humanitarian agenda, as health is central to human survival and securing broad agreement that health for all, especially poorest is one of the central purposes of any humanitarian response. Advocating for health action in crises. OCHA **** UN Office for the Coordination of Affairs General Assembly Resolution 46/182 (1991) led to the creation of the UN Department of Affairs. OCHA was established in 1998, pursuant to the UN Secretary-General s Reform Programme. OCHA is mandated to mobilize and coordinate the collective efforts of the international community, in particular those of the UN system, to meet in a coherent and timely manner the need of those exposed to human suffering and material destruction in disasters and emergencies. One of the OCHA s core functions is the coordination of humanitarian emergency responses to complex emergencies and disasters through the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the UN Executive Committee on Affairs (ECHA). Within WHO, the gatekeeper of relations with OCHA and the IASC Secretariat is HAC in Geneva David Nabarro, Nabarrod@who.int Keeping health high on the inter-agency humanitarian agenda, ensuring WHO can better work in emergency settings. 1 Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, the E.U. Commission and the E.U.Council. 2 FAO, ICRC, ICVA, IFRC, IOM, OCHA, OHCHR, SCHR, UNDP, UNHCR, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNRWA, WPF, WHO and the World Bank. 1

2 Coordinators (HCs)*** HAC is the gatekeeper for WHO concurrence on the appointment of HCs. ECHA** UNDG** IASC*** Inter-Agency Standing Committee In a given country, upon the occurrence of a complex emergency or when an already existing humanitarian situation worsens in degree and/or complexity, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, on behalf of the Secretary- General and after consultation with the IASC, will designate a Coordinator for that country. Depending on the context, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, in consultation with the IASC, may assign the functions of Coordinator to the Resident Coordinator for that country, who therefore becomes Resident and Coordinator 3. The UN Executive Committee on Affairs (ECHA) is one of the four Executive Committees created by the UN Secretary- General in the framework on 1998 UN reform aimed at enhancing the coordination with the UN system.. ECHA membership includes UN Agencies and Programmes and the UN Departments of Political Affairs and Peacekeeping Operations. WHO and FAO are observers. Through ECHA, the UN humanitarian agencies input into the UN Report of the Secretary-General s on the Work of the Organization. The United Nations Development Group, created as a key figure of the UN Secretary-General s reform programme, brings together UN entities dealing with development issues. It is led by an Executive Committee comprised of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA and WFP, and chaired by the UNDP Administrator. The IASC was established in June 1992 in response to General Assembly Resolution 46/182 that called for strengthened coordination of humanitarian assistance. The IASC provides a unique forum for discussions bringing together UN humanitarian agencies, IOM, three consortia of major international NGOs and the Red Cross movement represented by ICRC and IFRC. The Secretariat for IASC is the Office for the co-ordination of humanitarian affairs (OCHA), headed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Jan Egeland, who took up his functions in September The IASC meets at the executive level twice a year to discuss broad policy issues brought before it by agencies. 3 See General Assembly Resolutions 47/199 and 48/209. David Nabarro, Nabarrod@who.int interaction with ECHA. David Nabarro, Nabarrod@who.int GOV/UNI is the gatekeeper for WHO relations with UNDG Peter Mertens, mertensp@who.int Within WHO, the gatekeeper for relations with the IASC is HAC. David Nabarro, Nabarrod@who.int and Ensuring that designated HCs have knowledge of WHO as a technical agency and aptitude and attitude for UN system coordination in preventive and life saving functions, including technical guidance from WHO. Keeping health high on the inter-agency humanitarian agenda, securing consensus for humanitarian space with the military and peacekeeping stakeholders of the UN system, e.g. DPKO and DPA. Enhancing greater United Nations visibility/unity at the country level. WHO has one of the largest country representations in the UN system. Securing broad agreement at Head of Agency level that health for all, especially poorest is one of the central purposes of any humanitarian response. 2

3 IASC-WG **** Inter-Agency Standing Committee Working Group Within WHO, the gatekeeper for relations with the IASC WG is HAC IASC Weekly meetings** The IASC Working Group, formed of senior representatives of the agencies, meets four times a year to recommend policy options to the IASC and resolve the more technical and strategic challenges of day-to-day operations in the field. Key IASC instruments are the CAP, which is the only consolidated interagency fundraising mechanism for humanitarian action, and IASC Subsidiary bodies, which involve different IASC members of the Working Group to address difficult issues, such as HIV/AIDS in emergency settings, chaired by WHO, the CAP, internal displacement, transition issues, etc. The IASC weekly meetings aim at information sharing on breaking and ongoing emergencies and thematic issues. They take place in New York and Geneva and are attended by humanitarian technical staff. David Nabarro, Nabarrod@who.int Within WHO, the gatekeeper for of relations with the IASC is HAC. Advocating for better health action in crises, promoting focused analysis of, and actions to improve the health sector at local and national levels. Enhancing full and proper attention to health issues, particularly among vulnerable populations, especially among poor people 3

4 Cross Cutting Issues Action 2 ** The purpose of the Working Group on Action 2 is to allow UNDG and ECHA agencies to participate in the finalization of the draft Plan of Action submitted by OHCHR to both Executive Committees. In particular, the Working Group focuses on developing a strategy for implementing the Plan, identifying how the UN system agencies can collaborate to advance the objectives and the focus of the Plan, as well as the activities that each agency will individually undertake to contribute to meet the Plan objectives. Within WHO, the gatekeepers for interaction with UNDG/ECHA on Action 2 are ETH and WUN, together with HAC Helena Nygren-Krug, ETH, nygrenkrugh@who.int Cecil Haverman, WUN, haverman@un.org HAC, Sleeuwenhoekt@who.int Mainstreaming human rights in at the country level. WHO is uniquely placed, as WHO leads on Right to Health, is part of the UN system and of UN country teams. Armed Groups * CAP**** In 2001, the UN Secretary-General, in his Report to the Security Council on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, noted that in order to gain meaningful and regular access to vulnerable populations within different combat zones ( ) the consent of many parties has to be obtained. They may include a range of armed groups and other non-state actors. In the same Report, the SG requested the Inter-Agency Standing Committee to develop a manual for access negotiations and strategies [ ] that should guide negotiators to be consistent, transparent, accountable and credible during negotiations, and in seeking to obtain safe, sustained, timely and unimpeded access. In response the IASC set up an informal Reference Group, comprised of OCHA, OHCHR, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO and WFP, to oversee the development of a manual on Field Practices on Negotiation with Armed Groups. In April 1998, the IASC-WG established the Sub Working Group on the Consolidated Appeal Process in order to give consideration to measures addressing weaknesses of the CAP Process. The concept of consolidated appeals was laid down in GA resolution 46/182. Membership of the IASC Sub Working Group on the CAP includes FAO, IOM, OCHA (secretariat), UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCHR, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNV, WHO, WFP, ICRC, IFRC, ICVA, SCHR. Background information on the CAP SWG is available on line: The yearly CAP Launch provides WHO with an opportunity to confirm WHO commitment to an inter- Within WHO, HAC is gatekeeper for interaction with this informal Reference Group. Isis Pluut, HAC, pluute@who.int Within WHO, HAC the gatekeeper for the CAP SWG Rayana Bu-Hakah, buhakahr@who.int Andre Griekspoor, griekspoora@who.int V. Pressley-Guillot, Pressleyguillotv@who.int Remaining abreast of the latest developments in the field of negotiating with armed groups, as staff safety is an important aspect of humanitarian action and because WHO has to negotiate access to all populations, even those living in areas outside government of state control. Disease does not respect man-made borders. For the interest of public health, we need to work with all actors. Reflecting health issues and challenges faced by countries in emergencies, advocating for a balanced view and presentation of the health needs and challenges in countries faced by humanitarian crises, and ensuring all aspects of saving live, protecting populations and responding to the most urgent needs, are covered and presented in a 4

5 agency process and to the CAP, which we consider a major fundraising mechanism. WHO sees the Launch as an essential forum where WHO advocates for health action in crises as a key to survival. Products include the Consolidated Appeal Process Guidelines, the IASC Review of the CAP and Plan of Action for Strengthening the CAP (2002) and Technical Guidelines for Consolidated Appeals Process (2002). Civilians in Armed Conflict **** Contingency Planning **** The Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict is an umbrella concept of humanitarian policies that brings together protection elements from a number of fields, including international humanitarian and human rights law, military and security sectors, and humanitarian assistance. The concept first arose in the Secretary-General s report on the Situation in Africa of 13 April 1998 (S/1998/318 or A/52/871), in which he identified protecting civilians in situations of conflict as a humanitarian imperative. The ECHA Implementation Group strives to ensure that civilians everywhere will be afforded the basic human dignity each individual deserves. A roadmap or plan of action on POC will be presented to the Security Council in December 2003 that identifies which components of the UN system hold responsibility for implementing each of the Secretary-General s 54 recommendations on protection, as set out in his first two reports on the subject. As per revised TOR of February 2002, the IASC Taskforce on Preparedness and Contingency Planning, chaired by WFP Rome and UNICEF Geneva, aims to strengthen and mainstream inter-agency contingency planning processes and approaches across the UN system, and to explore and develop other preparedness and early warning approaches and methods that can help enhancing the UN and IASC partners overall preparedness capacity. This process, which builds on initial work undertaken by the main UN humanitarian operational agencies in the field, has brought together UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR as well as UNDP, WHO, IFRC, ICRC, IOM, in nearly all the countries in the sub-region. The IASC guidelines on contingency planning can be accessed on line: Within WHO, the gatekeeper for POC is HAC, together with GOV and WUN Richard Alderslade, alderslade@un.org Peter Mertens, mertensp@who.int relations with the IASC TF on preparedness and contingency planning Alessandro Loretti, Coordinator EHC, lorettia@who.int balanced manner. HAC is actively involved in this important working group. WHO and UNICEF are in the process of developing guidelines for Inter-Agency Needs Assessments. Ensuring human security, which is essential to the very definition of Health, access to and the delivery of Health care and the protection of investment in Health development. WHO s Health as a Bridge to Peace concept is based on the perception that health workers are in a unique position to understand the needs for and contribute to the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Incorporating health dimensions in interagency contingency planning and preparedness activities. WHO has been committed to this process from the onset. 5

6 DMTP *** The United Nations Disaster Management Training Programme (DMTP) is a learning platform addressing crises, emergencies and disasters for the UN Member States, the UN System and international and non-governmental organizations. The Programme was launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator in co-operation with UN Agencies in 1990 and has been endorsed by the Resolution of the General Assembly 46/182 at its 78th Plenary Meeting on 19 December DMTP has raised awareness of the need for a more effective crisis and disaster management to reduce risks and vulnerabilities. Member Agencies/Organizations include: FAO, IBRD, IOM, OCHA, OHCHR, UNCHS, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNITAR, UNOPS, UNV, WFP, WHO and WMO and ICRC, ICVA, IFRC, NRC and SCHR. DMTP is located in the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR), Disaster Reduction and Recovery Unit (DRRU) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Geneva. Within WHO, the gatekeeper for relations with UNDMTP is HAC. Gaya Gamehewage, HAC, gamhewageh@who.int Incorporating health action in crises dimensions in system-wide training and capacity building tools for comprehensively addressing crises and disaster management. The DMTP system provides a mechanism for assessing and improving capacities of national and international partners for enhanced coordination and collaborative efforts in disaster preparedness and response. EFCT *** Emergency Field Co-ordination Training Field Information Management **** OCHA s Emergency Field Co-ordination Training aims to enhance coordination knowledge and skills of OCHA staff and staff from collaborating UN Agencies and NGOs so that they can render efficient support and service to the interagency co-ordination of complex emergencies. The focus of the EFCT program is on humanitarian co-ordination concepts and models as well as interpersonal skills, effective teamwork and co-ordination tools and mechanisms. WHO senior staff regularly participates in this training programme. With the overall aim of strengthening humanitarian information management at field level, and setting the scene for identifying gaps (in procedures, tools and skills) of UN staff in key areas of information management and learning activities undertaken, or to be undertaken, the IASC WG decided in September 2003 to establish a short-term IASC Taskforce on Strengthening Field Information Management, with possible intention to develop in a longer term IASC Taskforce on Field Information Management. The TF is co-chaired by OCHA and WHO with members from UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP, UNICEF and UNJLC. Within WHO, the gatekeeper for relations with EFCT is HAC. Gaya Gamehewage, HAC, gamhewageh@who.int WHO is the co-chair of the Taskforce on Strengthening Field Information Management. Enhancing overall coordination for the management of emergencies through training WHO country representatives in this inter-agency mechanism. Strengthening humanitarian information management at field level. 6

7 Framework Team ** Gender * GIST ** Geographical Information Support Team HIV/AIDS in Emergency Settings**** Created in 1995 to better coordinate planning and operational activities among the humanitarian, peace-keeping and political actors of the UN Secretariat in regards to peace-keeping missions, the Framework for Coordination Mechanism evolved to act as a mechanism for early warning and preventive action among ten UN participating departments, programmes, offices and agencies. The overall goal of the Framework Process is to produce a swift and integrated UN system-wide response in the form of a comprehensive preventive action strategy to potential crises. FT membership includes the UN Departments of Political Affairs (DPA) and Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), OCHA, UNDP, OHCHR, UNICEF, UNHCR, WPF, FAO, WHO and the World Bank. The Framework Team (FT) normally meets monthly to review/prioritize countries/situations of concern and forwards them, as appropriate, to Executive Committees on Peace and Security and Affairs. The decision to establish a Reference Group on Gender and Assistance was taken by the IASC-WG in November This group is cochaired by WFP and UNICEF. Membership includes FAO, OCHA, OHCHR, UNHCR, UNDP, IOM, UNFPA, ICRC, IFRC, WHO, SCHR, ICVA, and InterAction (the three latter agencies are represented by OXFAM). The Gender and Assistance Resource Kit can be accessed on-line. Key documents include the Policy Statement for the Integration of a Gender Perspective in Assistance (1999) and the Gender and Assistance Resource Kit (CD-ROM) (2001). The Geographic Information Support Team (GIST) is an inter-agency initiative that promotes the use of geographic data standards and geographical information systems (GIST) in support of humanitarian relief operations. The GIST also identifies data resources to support preparedness and emergency response. GIST. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Task Force on HIV/AIDS in Emergency Settings is a subsidiary body formally established by the IASC Working Group in March The TF is tasked with facilitating inter-agency Within WHO, WUN, GOV/UNI and HAC are the gatekeepers for relations with the Framework Team. Richard Alderslade, alderslade@un.org Peter Mertens, mertensp@who.int interactions with the IASC Taskforce on Gender Rayana Bu-Hakah, HAC, Buhakahr@who.int Manuela Colombini, FCH/RHR Colombinim@who.int Within WHO, RMD and HAC are the WHO gatekeeper for relations with GIST Johan Lemarchand, lemarchandj@who.int Sandro Colombo, colomboa@who.int Within WHO, HIV/TSH with HAC are the gatekeepers for relations with the IASC TF on HIV/AIDS in emergency setting. Remaining abreast of breaking emergencies to avoid failing systems through analysis of political and soco-economic indicators Mainstreaming health aspects in interagency emergency activities. Setting common standards for strengthened field management capacities in support of inter agency coordination prior, during and after a crisis. Raising awareness of a broad target audience on the impact of HIV/AIDS in emergency settings, including issues of 7

8 work for the control of HIV/AIDS in emergency settings. It is chaired by WHO and its membership includes Civil and Military Alliance (CMA), FAO, The International Centre for Migration and Health (ICMH), ICRC, ICVA, IFRC, IOM, OCHA, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP. The revised Guidelines for minimum HIV interventions in emergency settings have been finalized. Michel Tailhades, Lianne Kuppens, Human Rights and Action *** Financing *** In June 1998, the IASC WG decided to establish a Task Force on Action and Human Rights. Its membership includes ICRC, OCHA, OHCHR, UNHCR, ICVA, UNICEF, WHO and WFP. The TF was tasked to enhance the understanding and implementation of the legal framework among humanitarian actors. Products include: Growing the Sheltering Tree: Protecting Rights Through Action (2002) and Frequently Asked Questions on International, Human Rights and Refugee Law. One of the outcomes of the International Meeting on Good Donorship (International Meeting on Good Donorship (June 2003) has been the creation of the Good Donorship Implementation Group (GHDIG). This group is Geneva-based and chaired by Canada. During discussions among the IASC members in the July IASC-WG meeting and as a result of the first meeting of the GHDIG on 15 July at which OCHA was present, an IASC Task Force on Financing has been established, chaired by OCHA, which will coordinate with the IASC Sub Working Group on CAP and with the GHDIG on those issues which will benefit from close cooperation between humanitarian agencies and donors. As a first step, the TF will identify issues in the humanitarian Financing studies which call for action on the side of the IASC in particular the study on needs assessment - and the Stockholm Principles and Implementation Plan, and to draft a programme of work. Within WHO, ETH is the gatekeeper for interaction with the IASC TF on Human Rights and Action Helena Nygren-Krug, ETH Nygrenkrugh@who.int Asako Hattori, ETH, hattoria@who.int interaction on humanitarian finance and humanitarian futures. Rayana Bu-Hakah, buhakahr@who.int Andre Griekspoor, griekspoora@who.int Oliver Stucke, stuckeo@who.int prevention and care. WHO, through HAC, funds the Chair of the IASC TF on HIV/AIDS in emergency setting. Incorporating health dimensions in human rights and humanitarian action. WHO is uniquely placed as WHO leads on Right to Health. Improving knowledge about flows of humanitarian funding in the face of a competitive aid environment and designing strategies for a coherent inter-agency vision and improved intersectoral coordination. 8

9 Internal Displacement *** interaction with the Inter-Agency Senior Network on internal displacement. In July 2000, the IASC established a Senior Inter-Agency Network on Internal Displacement, comprising senior focal points in concerned organizations, to carry out reviews of selected countries with internally displaced populations and to make proposals for an improved inter-agency response to their needs. Notwithstanding the creation of the IDP Unit in 2002, the IASC decided the Network should continue to exist as an inter agency support and advisory mechanism for the IDP. WHO, through HAC/EHA, participates in the Senior Inter-Agency Network meetings. Products include: Manual on Field Practice in Internal Displacement (1999) and the IASC Policy Statement on Protection of Internally Displaced Persons (1999). The issue of protection and assistance of IDPs is a standing IASC agenda item. The Mandate of the Representative of the Secretary- General on Internally Displaced Persons focuses on developing appropriate normative and institutional frameworks for the international protection and assistance of Internally Displaced Populations. The RSG on IDPs, Dr Francis Deng, was appointed in 1992, following international concern about the growing numbers of internally displaced persons around the world in need of protection and assistance. The RSG was requested to examine human rights issues relating to internal displacement and to prepare a comprehensive study of existing laws and mechanisms for the protection of IDPs. Integrating essential public health concerns in the agenda of the OCHA Internal Displacement Unit and ccontributing to efforts to optimize the health outcomes for and prospects of Internally Displaced People. 9

10 ISDR *** International Strategy for Disaster Reduction At the end of the 1990s, the United Nations created the ISDR as a successor body to the IDNDR (the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction), to help communities focus on long-term, pro-active disaster prevention strategies to improve the resilience of communities. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction is chaired by the Emergency Relief Coordinator. Membership includes among others: WHO, PAHO, FAO, UNESCO, ITU, Within WHO, AMRO/PAHO and HAC are the gatekeepers for inter-action with ISDR Jean-Luc Poncelet, poncelej@paho.org Mainstreaming disaster management, incorporating a public health aspect in country resilience to natural hazards and related technological and environmental disasters, in order to reduce environmental, human, economic and social losses MCDU ** Military and Civil Defence Unit And MDCA Military and Civil Defence Assets Natural Disasters *** WMO, UNDP, UNEP and WFP. The OCHA Military Civil Defence Unit is the result of the acknowledgement of the ever-increasing use of military and civil defence assets (MCDA) in humanitarian emergencies, a process begun after the Gulf War. The origin of this decision stems from a number of recommendations by experts, leading to a fundamental, non-binding document written in 1994; called the "Oslo Guidelines which establishes basic principles on the use of MCDA in natural, technological and environmental disasters, in times of peace. In March 2003, the Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets To Support United Nations Activities in Complex Emergencies were agreed upon. The Consultative Group on the Use of MCDA is convened annually in Geneva bringing together all Member States, international, national and regional organizations interested in the use of MCDA. In addition, the MCDU reports to an Advisory Panel meeting two times a year. The AP consists of the major UN Agencies, the ICRC and IFRC, as well as representatives from DPKO, IOM and the NGO community. In July 2003, the IASC-WG decided to establish a small Taskforce on Natural Disasters, follow-up on the recommendations of the 2000 Report of the IASC Reference Group on Natural Disasters and examine proposals put forward by the IFRC. The Group is co-chaired by OCHA and IFRC and members will include WHO, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP and ISDR. The Taskforce will report back to the IASC-WG in November interaction with the MCDU and on MCDA. Christine Chomilier, chomilierc@who.int relations with the IASC Taskforce on natural disasters. Isis Pluut, HAC, pluute@who.int Promoting cooperation, playing a neutral broker role, especially in countries where there are scarce resources. Emphasising the link between natural disasters and development, focusing not only on capacity building at local and national level but also on assisting the health sector in their contingency planning and promoting enforcement of stringent construction standards for hospitals to resist natural hazards. 10

11 Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse *** relations with the IASC TF on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. Sanctions * (sunsetting) The Taskforce on the protection form sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian crises was set up in the wake of recent allegations of widespread sexual exploitation of and violence against refugee and internationally displaced children by humanitarian workers and peacekeepers in West Africa, which highlighted the vulnerability of refugees, IDPs and other victims of conflict to abuse and exploitation, especially the risks faced by women and girls. Products include the Plan of Action and Core Principles of Codes of Conducts on Protection from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in Crisis. The IASC TF on the humanitarian consequences of sanctions looks at how adverse humanitarian consequences of sanctions regimes could be minimized. The TF is composed of OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, FAO, WHO, OHCHR, INTERACTION, and several NGOs, and is chaired by OCHA. Rayana Bu-Hakah, Buhakahr@who.int Within WHO, WUN and HAC are the gatekeepers of the TF on the humanitarian consequences of sanctions Richard Alderslade, Alderslade@un.org Alessandro Loretti, Lorettia@who.int Incorporating essential public health concerns in the work of the TF, contributing to the overall protection of civilians in armed conflict. Advocating based on reliable data, that the impact of trade embargoes encompasses much more than restrictions on the availability of medicines and focused public health measures to maximize better outcomes with scarce resources. Telecommunica- Tions ** In 2000, the IASC decided to revive the Taskforce on Emergency Telecommunications (WGET). WGET includes entities of the United Nations system involved in humanitarian assistance and/or field telecommunications, other major governmental and non- governmental, international and national organizations and the International Telecommunication Union as well as a number of experts and advisors from the academic and commercial field. Background information on emergency telecommunications can be assessed on line: Within WHO, TMS and HAC are the gatekeepers for relations with WGET Dominique Metais, metaisd@who.int Christine Chomilier, chomilierc@who.int Enhancing inter-agency cooperation in the field of emergency telecommunications. 11

12 Training * (sunsetting) relations with the IASC TF on Training The IASC recommended in its meeting in September 1998 to establish a Taskforce on Training under the auspices of UNHCR. The TF was set up as a mechanism for information exchange on training issues. Membership includes OCHA, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP, WHO, FAO, WFP, OHCHR, IOM. Gaya Gamhewage, Gamhewageg@who.int Discussing training needs for emergencies across agencies, to reduce existing training gaps and to strengthen complementarity Transition issues *** The UNDG/ECHA Working Group on Transition issues was formed in response to ECOSOC resolution 2002/32, directed primarily to humanitarian actors and the Secretary-General s second phase of UN reform, specifically elements of Action 14 pertaining to transition in countries emerging from conflict which was directed towards UN development actors. The WG began in November 2002 with the overall objective of establishing greater coherence and integration in the UN s response to the challenges of transition, building on the Brahimi report and its follow-up action. Eight case studies, reflecting different situations on the ground in Afghanistan, Angola, the Great Lakes region (including Burundi, DRC, Rwanda and Tanzania), the Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan and Timor Leste, were reviewed. Within WHO, WUN, GOV/UNI and HAC are the gatekeepers of interaction with the UNDG/ECHA Working Group on transition issues. Richard Alderslade, alderslade@un.org Peter Mertens, mertensp@who.int Advocating that planning for (health) reconstruction should start as early as possible, in spite of the competing needs and pressures of the "acute emergency" phase. Policy framework with a vision of the future can channel humanitarian assistance into activities that contribute to development and reform of the health sector. UNDAC *** UNHRD *** United Nations Response Depot The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team is a stand-by team of disaster management professionals who are nominated and funded by member governments, OCHA, UNDP and operational humanitarian United Nations agencies such as WFP, UNICEF and WHO. Upon request of a disaster-stricken country, the UNDAC team can be deployed within hours to carry out rapid assessment of priority needs and to support national Authorities and the United Nations Resident Coordinator to coordinate international relief on-site. Members of the UNDAC team are permanently on stand-by to deploy to relief missions following disasters and humanitarian emergencies anywhere in the world. The United Nations Response Depot (UNHRD) in Brindisi, Italy, is sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by WFP. It holds emergency stocks belonging to WFP, OCHA and WHO, which regularly draws upon UNHRD for its emergency response activities. inter-action with UNDAC. Gaya Gamhewage, gamhewageg@wh.int inter-action with UNHRD. C. Chomilier, Chomilierc@who.int C. Guitton, guittong@who.int Ensuring best public health practice in interagency disaster assessments. Facilitating quick and efficient response to breaking emergency situations. 12

13 UNJLC **** United Nations Joint Logistical Centre interaction with UNJLC Christine Chomilier, Christophe Guitton, The concept of the United Nations Joint Logistical Centre (UNJLC) was born out of the humanitarian response to the 1996 Eastern Zaire crisis, which demanded intensified coordination and pooling of logistics assets among UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF. The concept was applied on subsequent UNLC interventions in Somalia, Kosovo, East Timor, Mozambique, and Afghanistan. In March 2002, the IASC WG institutionalized the UNJLC as a UN response mechanism, under the aegis of WFP. Recently a UNJLC was deployed in the context of Iraq and Liberia. From the onset, HAC has been closely involved in UNJLC through the secondment, on refundable loan, of four staff to UNJLC/Afghanistan and two staff to UNJLC/Iraq. WHO, C. Chomilier, is the focal point for the UNJLC list of medical items. WHO also participates in the ongoing revision of the UNJLC Field Operational Manual. Facilitating coordinated response activities in emergency settings. TS, 30/10 13