Advocacy in Emergencies

Session Objectives:

•Understand the role of advocacy in emergencies in both general and WV contexts•Be familiar with advocacy approaches in WV• Be familiar with different types of emergencies and the different advocacy needs• Understand how advocacy links to and compliments WV programming objectives

WV and AdvocacyA project, programme or programmatic approach which seeks to address the

structural and systemic causes of poverty by changing policies, systems, practices and attitudes that perpetuate inequality and deny human rights. It is primarily a ministry of influence using persuasion,

dialogue and reason to obtain change and is usually done in partnership with other external stakeholders. (Art of Advocacy

Training Manual, WVI)

Why do advocacy in an emergency?

1.2

Characteristics of advocacy

Advocacy…

•Should not be ‘added on’ to what you do, but should be built into our programs

•Offers credible positive alternatives

•Aims to change specific policies affecting children and create political space. It is directed at those who have the power to

influence children’s lives – the goal is institutional change

• Is not an end in itself

•Requires clear goals and measurable objectives

•Is a long- term process rather than a one-off event

•Is based on evidence from our programs and experience (“experience based advocacy”)

•Aims to make decision-making a more inclusive and democratic process in which children’s opinions are included  

How we advocate

HEA wheel• early warning• preparedness• disaster mitigation• response• rehabilitation• transition

• rapid changes in context• limited information• small window of opportunity• intense media attention• high level of risk• tensions between operations and advocacy• difficult to undertake community empowerment• need to quickly produce products

how is advocacy in emergencies unique?

Techniques for Change

•Advocacy planning principles are the same as in non-emergency situations

•Advocacy should make sure the emergency response focuses on children’s rights and needs

•Advocacy must be based on humanitarian principles

•Make sure that doing advocacy will not harm people, or prevent us providing humanitarian assistance

3. 1

Advocacy in an Emergency Context

WV Advocacy and HEA•ARG•H-PIG•SO Advocacy Advisors•Thematic Guides•WVI Public Positions: A Guide for Staff

(2002)

•Protection•WASH•CIVMIL Engagement•Education•Livelihoods•HIV/AIDS•etc.

HEA-advocacy thematic guides

what advocacy looks likein an emergency

1.follow a process• internal coordination (and the ARG)• the importance of partnering• integrate the response• address full HEA-wheel

some considerations

NO RO

GCSO

International

Regional

National

Local

International conventions and treatiesDonors’ development policies

Regional institutions’ policies and strategies National policies common to a geographic regionPromoting good national practices within regions

National policies and strategiesInstitutional structures Specific legislation protection of children in emergenciesResource allocation to DRR

Local implementation of legislation Local debate on distribution of resources Access to services and resources Community policies, strategies and coping mechanisms

Where HEA and Advocacy meet

Where HEA and Advocacy meet…