In compliance with General Assembly resolution 46/182, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), through its Disaster Response Branch (DRB) in Geneva, has established an emergency response system for coordinating actions taken by the international community as a result of natural disasters and environmental emergencies, including technological accidents.
The DRB Operations Centre is immediately activated, when necessary, and is specially designed and equipped for the mobilization and coordination of international emergency operations in response to disasters.
Outside official working hours, the Operations Centre is activated by the DRB Duty Officer who, in case of emergency, can be reached at any time through the emergency telephone number +(4122) 917-2010.
Countries can address requests for information and/or international assistance in cases of natural disasters or environmental emergencies directly to DRB, or through the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the affected country.
As the focal point for coordinating international response to an emergency, the relevant DRB Regional Desk immediately prepares and disseminates situation reports to emergency relief services of donor governments, the United Nations system, intergovernmental and non- governmental organizations (all together up to 300 addresses).
The usefulness and effectiveness of the reports depend on the speed with which the necessary information is provided to OCHA. All communications in this regard should be sent directly to the Chief, Disaster Response Branch, OCHA-Geneva.
In case of a major disaster with substantial involvement of different UN agencies during the immediate relief phase, a United Nations inter-agency mission may be sent to carry out a comprehensive multi-sectoral assessment of the effects of an emergency to ensure coordinated planning and the formulation of an overall UN response.
The purpose of the grant is to cover the most pressing needs of the affected population, which cannot be satisfied from national resources, while awaiting the response of the international donor community. OCHA can make available up to US$ 50,000 through the Office of the United Nations Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator if the Government launches an appeal for international assistance immediately after the occurrence of the disaster.
Cash contributions by donors to affected countries will be managed by OCHA, in accordance with existing procedures, under a dedicated sub-account in the United Nations Trust Fund for Disaster Relief. Contributions channelled through OCHA will be used to cover priority relief needs identified in close consultation with the government of the affected country and the local United Nations Disaster Management Team (UN-DMT).
These are essentially basic survival items, such as tents, blankets, generators, basic tools, water storage and purification equipment, donated by various governments. OCHA can transport these items immediately to disaster-affected areas, subject to the donor(s) agreement and stock availability. In case of need, the OCHA Warehouse can act as an assembly centre for the international relief community. Goods and transport are offered to the disaster-affected country free of charge.
Further to existing agreements with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), emergency food and medical supplies are also stored at the Pisa Warehouse.
The UNDAC Team consists of qualified and specially trained national emergency management experts, as well as of OCHA staff, who are on permanent stand-by. Team members can leave within hours, accompanied by a communications expert and/or with mobile satellite telecommunications equipment, as required.
The UNDAC Team works under the authority of the United Nations Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator. It cooperates with the local emergency management authorities in carrying out assessment and coordination tasks at a disaster site, or assists them in coordinating incoming and locally available assistance capacities in the capital, at no cost to the affected country. On request, OCHA can also dispatch staff and /or experts to assist the United Nations Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator s Office in the affected country in fulfilling its relief coordination mandate during the emergency phase.
Together with the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), OCHA maintains close contacts with operators of major International Search and Rescue Teams and has developed a Directory of SAR Teams which meet agreed quality criteria for international operations.
OCHA has developed the OSOCC concept in close cooperation with national emergency management agencies. The centre has the dual purpose of providing the local emergency management authority of an affected country, when necessary, with a system for coordinating the operational activities of international relief agencies, and of providing a framework for cooperation and coordination among international relief teams at a disaster site.
In connection with an OSOCC, and when required, OCHA can provide satellite and radio telecommunications equipment together with experienced technicians in order to establish reliable telecommunications channels internationally and between a capital and an affected area, as well as within the affected area.
OCHA has established stand-by arrangements with Governments and humanitarian organizations for access to field coordination support resources (such as office support, transport, telecommunications, coordination centre infrastructure). When required, in large scale emergencies, OCHA can assist in the mobilization, deployment and management of such resources for the establishment of a Coordination Centre and other common services.
These assets include specialized personnel and equipment required for disaster relief operations (e.g. aircraft, helicopters, ships, nuclear/biological/chemical decontamination facilities, field hospitals, water purification units).
A Military and Civil Defence Unit (MCDU) is established within OCHA as a focal point for the use of military and civil defence (civil protection) resources in all types of humanitarian emergencies. Moreover, it can establish an on-site coordination centre for multi-agency employment of such assistance. In case of natural disasters and environmental emergencies, including technological accidents, the provision of military and civil defence assets takes place in accordance with agreed upon procedures (Oslo Guidelines, May 1994).
In particular, depending on the circumstances, the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit (established within DRB) will:
act as a broker to facilitate quick direct links between focal points in requesting countries and providers of expertise and specialised equipment, and, if necessary, help with the practical modalities of delivering assistance;
serve as an information clearing-house to provide rapid access to existing national bodies, and international sources of information and advice on the response required;
facilitate initial assessment and/or post-emergency analysis by establishing contacts between requesting countries and designated experts or international bodies, and arranging assessment missions upon requests.
Five parts of the Register are in existence: on International Search and Rescue Teams, on Emergency Stockpiles of Disaster Relief Items, on Disaster Management Expertise, on Military and Civil Defense Assets and on Customs Focal Points. Parts on National Emergency Response Offices and on Emergency Relief Services of donor countries are under modification, to be integrated into the Central Register.
In accordance with relevant General Assembly Resolutions, OCHA acts, in particular, as the Secretariat of the Ministerial-level Chernobyl Committee and of the Inter-agency Task Force.
Disaster Response Branch
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel.: + (4122) 917-1234
Fax.: + (4122) 917-0023
Cable: DHAGVATelex: 414242 DHA CH
e-mail: DHAGVA@DHA.UNICC.ORG
In case of emergency only: tel. + (4122) 917-2010