international humanitarian standards under the leadership of the gov ha noi, 4 november 2008
TRANSCRIPT
International humanitarian standards under the leadership
of the GoV
Ha Noi, 4 November 2008
Cluster Leadership ApproachIn case of major disaster -(i) national capacities
overwhelmed, (ii) Emergency requiring a multi-sectoral response and, (iii) long term impact- strengthened coordination mechanisms will be required.
CLA aims to improved international support in the aftermath of a disaster (emergency, rehabilitation, reconstruction). Consequently, national response would be benefited.
Vietnam complying with humanitarian reform and international standards
What are the global/suggested clusters?
Coordination cluster where cluster leads/co-leads meet
dGlobal Cluster Leads
Sector or Area of Activity Global Cluster Lead
Agriculture FAO
Camp Coordination/Management: IDPs (from conflict) Disaster situations
UNHCR
IOM
Early Recovery UNDP
Education UNICEF Save The Children - United Kingdom
Emergency Shelter: IDPs (from conflict) Disaster situations
UNHCR IFRC (Convener)*
Emergency Telecommunications OCHA/UNICEF/WFP
Health WHO
Logistics WFP
Nutrition UNICEF
Protection: IDPs (from conflict) Disasters/civilians affected by conflict (other than IDPs)* *
UNHCR UNHCR/OHCHR/UNICEF
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene UNICEF
CLA can/must be adjusted to national needsLeads should only be designated for the sectors
that are relevant to the emergencyCluster leads: GoV or International
Community?Cluster co-leads and members?Cluster ToRsCluster workplans
What are Cluster Leads Responsible For? Accountable for ensuring system-wide preparedness
and technical capacity to respond to humanitarian emergencies
Ensuring greater predictabilityResponsible for establishing broad partnership
bases (i.e. "clusters")
Advocate for adequate Standards and policy-settingArrangement for operational support (last resort
suppliers)
Are Participants in Cluster Groups Accountable to the Cluster Lead? The cluster approach itself does not require
that humanitarian actors be held accountable to sector leads
It does not demand accountability of non-UN actors to UN agencies
Individual humanitarian organizations can only be held accountable to sector leads in cases where they have made specific commitments to this effect
Cluster approach in Vietnam (context)Is it new?
Ministries , CCFSC/IAWGand NGO RC sectoral working groups
Could it be relevant?In case of major disaster/complex emergency
What is the particular context in Viet Nam?Strong leadership and capacity from the GovernmentNumber of active INGOs (that will increase
dramatically in case of major disaster)One UN: advocating for international standards
Cluster approach in VietnamDifferent cluster – different GoV agencies
leading. Examples:Emergency shelter: Lead MoC, co – lead IFRCAgriculture: Lead MARD, co-lead Oxfam or FAOHealth cluster: Lead MoH, co-lead WHOEtc.
Coordination cluster (crucial):Cluster lead: CCFSC/PACCOMCluster co-lead: DMWG or UN
Consultation - GovtCCFSC, DMC
Very high level of interest and supportStrong desire for further discussion/preparationsSupport for Government to take lead role
PACCOMSupports application of CLAStressed the need to gain support and input from
NGOs and DMWGDiscussion of possible links with NGO Resource
Centre Working Groups
Consultation - NGOsNGO sample group
Strong support for cluster leadership approachPreparation must take place to eliminate possible
problemsSurveys
Generally very positivePossible issues raised:
No record of “major disaster” in Vietnam Coordination/competition between clusters Accountability Internal organization communication
ConclusionsCluster Leadership Approach is necessary and
appropriate for Vietnam for major disasters only. Strong interest from Govt and NGOs
Must be customized to Vietnamese context, including:Govt ministries/agencies as cluster leadsNGOs or UN agencies as co-leads
Detailed planning need to be ready and to avoid possible problems
RecommendationDMWG to agree to move forward with
preparations for the implementation of the cluster leadership approach in the event of a major disaster, including:Continue discussions with Government and other
key stakeholdersIdentify and confirm cluster leads, co-leads and
membersReview and finalize draft TORs and structure
including roles and responsibilities
ScenarioMajor Typhoon hits northern VietnamStorm damage as far inland as Thai NguyenFlooding and Flash Flooding from Quang Ninh to
Dien Bien and as far south as Thanh Hoa26 Provinces (Population: approx. 30 million)
11 provinces severely affectedAnother 15 partially affected
200+ NGOs, UN agencies, donors and other organizations seeking to provide assistance90+ to support most affect province of Hai Phong120+ to supply food