Annual Report 2011 Foreword

Annual report 2011 forEword

foreword

Last year saw numerous emergencies and disasters that • UN organisations and stand-by partners should con- led to massive displacement, refugee flows and damage tinue a joint dialogue on how to better engage and support GOOD PEOPLE to infrastructure. Famine in the Horn of Africa, civil war national authorities in Libya, unrest in Yemen, monsoon flooding in Pakistan OUR GREATEST RESOURCE and post-election violence in Ivory Coast were among the • UN agencies, donors and stand-by partners should events to attract the most media and public attention during collaborate more closely with civil society, sharing their 2011. The independence of South Sudan was also experience and expertise to support the establishment and an event of immense significance. As the South Sudanese management of national stand-by partners and so helping people celebrated the birth of their country, the world’s to build local capacity newest nation faced tremendous challenges as internal and border conflicts intensified. Massive population displace- • In addition to their focus on emergency response, ment took place both internally and from the north as stand-by partners should play an increasingly active role in people of South Sudanese origin arrived in the country in prevention and disaster risk reduction (DRR) large numbers. Together these events set the scene as the Norwegian Refugee Council’s stand-by roster (NORCAP) Civilian Capacity in the Aftermath of Conflict, a UN-com- enters its 21st year. missioned report written by a panel of experts headed by the former Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Since its inception in 1991, the roster has been part of the Operations, Jean-Marie Guéhenno,, highlights ownership, extensive mobilisation of resources in response to such partnership, expertise and nimbleness as central aims. Im- crises, seconding experts to international operations across proving civilian capacity is also a focus at the national level the globe. Over the years it has evolved and expanded, in Norway, where steps are being taken to bring the various increasing both its number of partners and the extent of its parties involved closer together. This is a process in which support exponentially. It has provided staff for more than NORCAP is involved with a view to advancing the work and 7,000 assignments worldwide. With two decades’ experi- impact of stand-by partners. ence in roster management under its belt, NORCAP is well- placed to play a leading role in discussions about the future NORCAP goes into 2012 with all of the above recommen- of the stand-by mechanism in contributing to the provision dations very much in mind. It will strive to become not only of humanitarian relief. a better provider of high quality specialists, but a stronger and more strategic international partner. Some of the points On 28 November 2011, UN agencies, stand-by partners, have been part-and-parcel of NORCAP’s priorities for donors, secondees and representatives from affected 2011, but much remains to be done. countries gathered in Oslo to celebrate NORCAP’s 20th In the right anniversary. The conference provided a unique forum to re- We look forward to your continued partnership and years place at the view lessons learned and identify challenges that lie ahead. collaboration, right time. Such collective learning is of the essence, as stand-by partners have become a critical part of the UN’s response 20 capacity. They have taken on international significance in their own right.

With these developments in mind, NORCAP sees a need for a more systematic approach in mapping and analysing the relationship between stand-by partners and UN agencies – something which was also reflected in the recom- Elisabeth Rasmusson mendations from the conference: Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council • A better evidence base is needed from which to analyse the outcomes produced by the stand-by mechanism

3 Afghanistan Belgium Benin CAR Chad Chile Colombia The right person in the right place at the right time DRC Egypt Ethiopia France Ghana Guatemala Guinea Haiti Iran Iraq Italy Ivory Coast Jordan Kenya Kyrgyzstan Lebanon Liberia Mauretania Myanmar-Burma Namibia NORCAP is an important instrument in terms of civilian Nepal capacity and UN support. The roster is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and operated by the Norwegian Refugee North Korea Council (NRC). OPT NORCAP’s mandate is to: Pakistan • Enhance the capacity of the international community to prevent and Philippines to respond to ongoing and future humanitarian challenges Sierra Leone • Support efforts to ensure that international operations are carried Somalia out without consideration to religion, race, nationality and political persuasion South Sudan Sudan • Support international capacity, and in particular the United Nations, in all stages of crisis; from prevention/early warning and response, to Switzerland monitoring, reconstruction, conflict resolution, sustainable develop- Syria ment and democratic governance Tanzania • Ensure that people in emergencies receive protection and Thailand assistance according to their needs and rights, with particular emphasis on the protection of civilians and the implementation Tunisia of relevant UN Security Council resolutions Uganda Venezuela Yemen Stages of crisis: prevention/early warning Response monitoring reconstruction conflict resolution sustainable development and democratic governance Zimbabwe 53 FH beredskapstyrker

FH programland med FH beredskapstyrker INtroduction contents

INTRODUCTION Contents

This report sets out the range and scale of NORCAP’s activities during 2011. It outlines FOREWORD 3 the roster’s contributions to UN agencies and international operations, and includes global information about the size and frequency of the support provided. I. INTRODUCTION 5

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), which Structure operates NORCAP, aligns itself closely with the • Chapter II presents general trends and country’s humanitarian policy as expressed in developments during 2011 II. trends, events and challenges 9 parliamentary report no. 40.1 Support for the UN hu- • Chapter III gives a brief resume of NORCAP’s 2.1 NORCAP’s 20th anniversary conference 14 manitarian reform process, launched in 2005, lies priorities 2.2 Increased engagement in disaster risk reduction 17 at the core of this policy. • Chapter IV summarises the year’s secondments by region, including detailed statistics on support RECRUITMENT: The reform process has centred on the cluster provided by country and by agency Astrid Sween [email protected] approach, financing, improving coordination and • Chapter V provides secondees’ personal accounts III. norCAP priorities 23 partnership building, the latter in terms of better from the field with six different agencies, as they relationships between UN and non-UN organisations. respond to some of the year’s most prominent crises PRESS: As the majority of NORCAP’s contributions are Benedicte Giæver • Chapter VI focuses on the management of the [email protected] channelled through UN agencies, it sees the reform roster in terms of recruitment and staff care IV. SECONDMENTS 29 process as an important term of reference for its www.norcapweb.no activities. 4.1 Africa 32 Methodology 4.2 Americas 34 The content is based on: 4.3 Asia 36 • NRC HQ’s analysis of NORCAP’s contributions 4.4 Middle East and North Africa 40 during 2011, supported by quantitative data 4.5 Special secondments 43 compiled throughout the year. The units of measure- NORCAP 4.6 The Temporary International Presence in Hebron 45 ment used are mostly person-months in the field NRC / Flyktninghjelpen and number of secondments. A secondment is Postboks 6758 described as an uninterrupted field assignment St. Olavs plass for one person with a single organisation. 0130 Oslo V. from the field 47 • Qualitative information from the field, provided by seconded personnel on contract during 2011 via 5.1 Haiti two years on 48 interviews or specific requests 5.2 Pakistan: from one emergency to another 52 • Perspectives emerging from the continuous dialogue 5.3 Progress in South Sudan 58 with strategic partners at both HQ and field levels 5.4 Improving food security in West Africa 62 5.5 Monitoring in Mindanao 66 5.6 The Libya crisis seen from Cairo 68 5.7 Yemen: From political unrest to a developing crisis 70 PROJECT MANAGER 5.8 Managing hazards in the Caribbean 72 Kristian Boysen 5.9 Promoting DRR in education 74 DESIGN & LAYOUT Erik Tresse 1. White Paper No. 40 (2008–2009) to the Storting, ”Norway’s vi. norCAP MANAGEMENT 79 Humanitarian Policy.” PHOTOS: Inger-Johanne Tjoflaat COVER. Marta Ramonada, Aasmund Løk, Truls 20 years of secondments - a timeline 82 Brekke, Kristian Boysen, Sveinung Kip- lesund, Javier Escobedo, Tanja Bergqvist Hanna Mollan, Åshild Eliassen, Bendik List of acronyms 86 Sørvig, Torbjørn Grønning

7 TRENDS, EVENTS AND CHALLENGES

This chapter presents the general trends in NORCAP contributions during 2011, including a review of main partners and events.

59 Trends, events & challenges in 2011

NORCAP IN THE FIELD 350350 The scale of NORCAP contributions grew considerably in 2010 compared with previous years, mainly due to the scale of the disasters in Haiti and Pakistan. 300300

In 2011, NORCAP maintained its level of engagement in both countries and met numerous other requests related TABLE 2.2 to the crisis in Ivory Coast, the famine in the Horn of Africa and volatile situations in the Middle East and North Africa. NORCAP secondees were deployed in 45 countries with 22 partner organisations and monitoring 250250 2011 missions. The total volume of contributions amounted to 1,659 person-months in the field, compared with 1,503 in 2010. Fig. 2.1 shows the number of person-months by organisation. 2010 200200 2009 Table 2.1 2011 norcap NORCAP person-months Person-‐months per per organisation organiza6on 2010

Person-‐months Person-‐months 2009 UNICEF 297 unicef 150150 unhUNHCR cr 271

tiphTIPH 187

FAO 183 fao 100100

wfpWFP 116 s s on-month per

iomIOM 112

UNFPA 86 unfpa 5050 unhUNHABITAT abitat 69

unrwUNRWA a 63

UNESCO 54 unesco 00 uniUNICEF cef unhUNHCR cr fFAO ao wfpWFP iomIOM unfpUNFPA a unhUNHABITAT abita t unrwUNRWA a uneUNESCO sco undpUNDP oOCHA cha unwomenUNWOMEN ohOHCHR chr undpUNDP 48 oOCHA cha 38 Fig. 2.2 NORCAP contributions to UN agencies (including IOM) from 2009 to 2011 imtIMT 24 aAU u 24 unwomenUNWOMEN 17 UN partners lacsLACS 15 nmfNMFA a 13 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) remains the main recipient of NORCAP personnel, though there was a slight fall in the volume of support AEC 13 aec The United Nations in 2011 compared with 2010. Child protection and education specialists were tfpTFP 12 Children’s Fund most in demand. Requests for water and sanitation expertise increased while the need for logistics support remained stable. Efforts to strengthen NORCAP’s ecECRE re 8 (UNICEF) remains gender-based violence (GBV) section resulted in two UNICEF deployments in unepUNEP 6 the main recipient 2011, and GBV will remain a priority in 2012. The introduction of rapid response ohOHCHR chr 4 of NORCAP per- for the child protection working group was another new initiative. Rapid re- 00 5050 100 100 150150 200200 250250 300300 350350 sponse refers to professionals on full-time contracts, who spend 70 per cent of sonnel. their time in the field and the remaining 30 per cent between missions on policy Fig. 2.1 NORCAP contributions to seconding organisations in person-months awareness and training. Rapid response will be increased in 2012, and introduced for the education cluster.

11 Trends, events & challenges in 2011

NORCAP also worked extensively with Secondments to the UN Develop- the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) ment Programme (UNDP) were in 2011, mainly as a result of the large similar in 2011 to those in 2010, rang- number of people fleeing the conflict ing from gender advisors in Sudan to in Ivory Coast for Liberia, the famine in DRR experts in Ghana and construc- the Horn of Africa and the civil war in tion specialists in Haiti. It is hoped that Libya. Contributions to UNHCR’s work collaboration with UNDP will focus increased by almost 60 person-months increasingly on early recovery and compared with 2010. The agency’s democratisation in 2012, particularly in greatest need was for protection staff, North Africa and the Middle East. including those with technical sub-skills such as refugee status determina- Contributions to the UN Office for tion. The latter were in great demand, the Coordination of Humanitar- primarily for secondments to Egypt and ian Affairs (OCHA) continued to Tunisia linked to the influx of refugees decrease in 2011, as the agency from Libya. Education specialists were becomes more restrictive in its use also crucial, as UNHCR has very few of of stand-by partners. Additionally, its own staff dedicated to this area. there is increased competition among stand-by partners. Most secondees The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) was The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) received a slightly in- were humanitarian affairs officers in the third largest recipient of NORCAP secondees in 2011. creased level of NORCAP support, in line with the roster’s countries including Sudan, Egypt, the Contributions increased by some 130 person-months com- focus on gender, GBV and reproductive health. UNFPA Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) pared with 2010, including staff seconded through FAO has been efficient in training roster members to address ca- and Ivory Coast. to the South Sudan Ministry of Gender, Child and Social pacity gaps in GBV, and this meant NORCAP was able to Welfare. FAO generally requested experts in agriculture, provide gender experts for operations in countries such as NORCAP’s most recent UN partner, food security and disaster risk reduction (DRR), and other Haiti, Yemen, Afghanistan and Kenya in 2011. In Haiti, the the Entity for Gender Equality more managerial areas such as logistics, communications secondee worked closely with the Interim Haiti Recovery and the Empowerment of Women and administration. The agency received three secondees Commission (IHRC), the planning body for the Haitian re- (UN-WOMEN), seconded staff to to the food security cluster, in line with NORCAP’s support covery. This type of secondment aims to enhance capacity Afghanistan, mainly experts in gen- for the UN’s cluster coordination system. transfer and local ownership, and will be further prioritised der. Deployments were also made to in 2012. Jordan. There is potential to expand The roster’s work with the UN World Food Programme the partnership with UN-WOMEN in (WFP) decreased by 50 person-months, mainly due to the The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) 2012, particularly in the fields of GBV fact that there were fewer large-scale natural disasters in is a relatively new partner, and received 14 secondees in and gender participation. 2011 than 2010. Experts in logistics, and in information and 2011. These went primarily to Pakistan and South Sudan. communications technology (ICT) were the most frequently Experts in shelter, water and sanitation and resettlement NORCAP supported the UN Of- requested, and cash and voucher specialists were also in were the most frequently requested. fice of the High Commissioner demand. NORCAP also provided WFP with staff for cluster for Human Rights (OHCHR) in coordination (logistics), DRR and nutrition projects. NORCAP’s work with the UN Educational, Scientific the management of the protection and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) decreased in cluster in Haiti. This work was carried The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) 2012, but contributions remained targeted and strategic. out through UNDP as NORCAP and continued to receive a relatively high number of secondees The key areas of collaboration were education, communica- OHCHR are yet to sign memorandum in 2011 to support its ongoing operations in Haiti. Fol- tion and DRR. Communications secondments to UNESCO of understanding on secondments. lowing NORCAP’s large-scale response to gaps in camp are distinctive in that they require knowledge in areas such management and coordination after the 2010 earthquake, as the production of radio programmes or the training of secondees in 2011 focused on site planning, protection, journalists in conflict-sensitive reporting. NORCAP contri- debris removal and management. The roster also provided butions to the cultural sector have been delayed pending IOM in Pakistan with logistics and shelter experts in re- an internal restructuring of the Norwegian Arts Council. sponse to the monsoon floods.

13 2.1 Trends, events & challenges in 2011 norcap’s 20th ANNIVERSARY

CONFERENCE FIVE PRIORITIES

Participants identified five priorities for civil society. Future partnerships must follow-up: be broader, and include government institutions, faith-based organisations, 1. Improved evidence base: local NGOs and emerging donors. More must be done to analyse the outcomes produced by the stand-by 4. Greater focus on prevention mechanism as a whole. There are and DRR: potential benefits in standardising the Today’s stand-by mechanism is geared Benedicte Giæver, Director of the Emer- monitoring and reporting of second- primarily toward emergency response. gency Response Departement, in conver- ments, among both UN organisations Conference speakers repeatedly sation with Joel Boutroue, Special Advisor and stand-by partners. A shared unit called for an increased focus on pre- to NMFA on Haiti and Humanitarian of measurement would simplify the vention and DRR efforts, and sug- Reform tracking of trends and developments. gested that stand-by partners play an More importantly, a thorough evalua- active role. A NORCAP pilot project to tion of the various partnerships would define a common understanding of the help to highlight lessons learned in a skills sets and competences needed way well-suited to inform future strate- for DRR secondees is one initiative gies. that should be continued.

2. Stronger focus on supporting 5. Improved collaboration be- national authorities: In honour of the thousands of men and women who tween deploying agencies: have been seconded through NORCAP over the The conference showed that the tra- It was suggested that UN agencies A s part of NORCAP’s 20th anniversary past 20 years, an anniversary reception was held ditional humanitarian sector, made up and stand-by partners work to en- celebrations, a conference brought together at the Nobel Peace Centre on 28 November. The mainly of the UN system, major donor sure that secondment requests are event was attended by Her Majesty Queen Sonja, countries and western-based NGOs, based on coordinated demands. Joint UN agencies, stand-by partners, donors, the conference participants and 80 secondees. represents only a small part of inter- secondments or secondments to a secondees and representatives from affect- All photos: Torbjørn Grønning national preparedness and response cluster led by a national authority were ed countries. Right to left: William Lacy Swing, Director- capacity. UN organisations and stand- flagged as possibilities. General, IOM. Janet Lim, Assistant High by partners should continue a joint The event provided a unique opportunity to share needs, At the same time, there is no complete overview of stand-by Commissioner, UNHCR. Benedicte dialogue on engaging national authori- Participants urged stakeholders to experiences and ideas about the future of stand-by partner- partners’ overall contribution to UN operations and capac- Giæver, Director ERD NRC. Amir Abdul- ties and organisations more directly. embrace the above recommendations, lah, Deputy Executive Director and Chief ships. Taking the key trends, demands and challenges fac- ity. Many agencies are involved, and there is no coordinated As an example, the Sudanese minister and challenged them to delve deeper Operating Officer, WFP. Joseph Lual of humanitarian affairs and disaster into the practical consequences of the ing the international community as their point of departure, and standardised method of compiling data, or recording Achuil, Minister for Humanitarian Affairs management has invited NRC to work participants discussed how stand-by partners might play a and monitoring deployments globally. Most importantly, and Disaster Management, The Republic changing humanitarian landscape. strategic role in strengthening preparedness, response and there has been no joint attempt to review the role and of South Sudan. directly with his government. NOR- humanitarian-to-development transition efforts in the years impact of the stand-by mechanism, either with reference CAP will propose a smaller, follow-up to come. Particular emphasis was placed on how they can to overall response capacity or actual service delivery. The workshop to focus on how stand- better support prevention and DRR efforts and improve NORCAP 20th anniversary conference was intended as by partnerships can better support national and local capacities. a forum to discuss how partners could better coordinate national capacity development, and to this effort. A second objective was to explore possible joint review existing lessons and initiatives. In line with developments in the humanitarian community as efforts to make the stand-by mechanism a better tool for a whole, stand-by partners are increasingly engaged in pre- advancing strategic priorities, especially in preparedness, 3. Closer collaboration with civil paredness activities, humanitarian-to-development transi- DRR and national capacity building. society: tions and the strengthening of national and local capacities. A recommendation was made that UN For further information Some stand-by partners, such as NORCAP, have made it agencies, donor agencies and stand- about the event and an an objective to broaden their engagement beyond service by partners take steps to share their provision and become a strategic partner to the UN. experience and expertise to support image gallery, visit the establishment and management www.flyktninghjelpen. of national stand-by partners. This will no/?did=9129680 help build capacity in local NGOs and Gabriel Khili, NORCAP member, together with Her Majesty Queen Sonja. 15 Trends, events & challenges in 2011

“A strong and efficient UN is at the heart of Norwegian foreign policy. NORCAP is a vital instrument of Norwegian support for Points for future debate the UN.” Jonas Gahr Støre, Norwegian “When the emergency hits, time is of the essence. The conference also identified a number of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Partners like NORCAP make sure that we get the right points for future debate: person in the right place, right away. That helps saving • If the need for closer collaboration with national institu- lives.” tions is to be taken seriously, one option would be to form Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for stand-by arrangements that make it possible to second Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief directly to them. Other possibilities include partnerships with, or more frequent secondments to, regional organisa- Coordinator tions or specialised national and civil society groups. Stand- by partners might consider moving part of their operation to regional offices in order to maintain a presence in places where disaster preparedness and response actually happen. “For 60 years, UNHCR has been working to ensure the All these options need to be explored further. rights of refugees. For the last 20 years, NRC has been a Jan Egeland, Europe Director, Human partner in this work. Thank you for your support … NRC • Questions remain as to how leading stand-by partners can Rights Watch. has built one the world’s largest and most professional use their experience and expertise to support the establishment and management of regional or national counterparts. stand-by rosters. NORCAP makes the UN stronger.” NORCAP is already participating in ongoing discussions António Guterres, UN High Commissioner with Indonesia and the African Union (AU), but this is a com- for Refugees plex and demanding process in terms of resources. Similarly, how can stand-by partners create rosters with specialists in climate change and other more development-orientated issues such as DRR, national institution building or the foster- “Strong partnerships allow UNICEF to leverage diverse approaches as ing of intercultural dialogue? a method for achieving better results for children in humanitarian action. Stand-by partners represent essential complementary capacity for At the conference, NORCAP promised to organise a series of smaller workshops with a broader group of stakeholders UNICEF’s emergency deployment and help fulfil our Core Commitments to start to address some of these issues. Participants were for Children in humanitarian action, including our inter-agency cluster invited to give their views as to what the focus of these work- responsibilities.” shops might be, and how they should be organised and run. Louis Georges Arsenault, Director, UNICEF Office Benedicte Giæver, Director of the Emergency Response Departement, in of Emergency Programmes. conversation with Richard Blewitt, CEO, HelpAge

“When hundreds of thousands of desperate Kurdish refugees fled for safety in Iraq in 1991, the world was unable to respond. The TV cameras were there, but no aid workers. That made us initiate the first NGO-UN stand-by system. Not even in my wildest dreams would I think that so many experts would go to so many places to do so much good over the next 20 years.” Jan Egeland, Europe Director, Human Rights Watch.

Dr. Michael Barnett , George Washington University 17 Subchapter: 2.3

Headline: Increased engagement in DRR

Trends, events & challenges in 2011 2.2 Increased engagement in DRR NORCAP personnel were involved in support of the organisation’s climate programme officer for FAO. He was a number of successful DRR initia- change adaptation initiative. responsible for technical input to the NORCAP aims to enhance the capacity of the international tives in 2011, and several deployments FAO’s Ethiopia DRR unit in support of community to prevent and respond to ongoing and future exemplified their role in support of UN Support for national and its response to the drought and food humanitarian challenges. It seeks to do so by providing activities, from global-level coordina- crises in the Horn of Africa. tion and programming to national-level regional DRR initiatives expertise that targets the needs and areas of engagement planning and implementation of initia- A NORCAP DRR specialist seconded of our UN partners and national stakeholders. One area of to UNICEF’s Middle East and North Development of DRR capacity tives in partnership with local stake- There are critical gaps in international increased engagement for NORCAP in 2011 was in crisis holders. Africa regional office supported the development of an agency pool of DRR efforts that urgently need to be prevention and early warning, with a specific focus on DRR. DRR experts in the fields of educa- addressed in order to reduce vulner- Support for the global tion; water, sanitation and hygiene ability to natural hazards and the risks The frequency of disasters has stead- also supported DRR strategy develop- agenda on DRR (WASH); and DRR policy and plan- posed by climate change. To this ily increased over the last 50 years. ment and the implementation of the One NORCAP secondee was de- ning. The aim was to provide UNICEF end, NORCAP recruited a DRR and The number of deaths has fallen Hyogo Framework for Action. ployed to UNESCO headquarters for country offices in the region with reli- climate change adaptation advisor in during this time, but the number of 14 months from the end of 2010 as able and easy access to expertise in 2011 to manage the roster’s increas- people affected and the estimated The roster received 17 requests for a specialist in DRR and prevention in developing DRR programmes. NOR- ing engagement in these fields from damages caused have risen signifi- DRR-related secondments in 2011, education (see chapter V). UNESCO CAP is currently exploring possibilities the head office in Oslo. cantly. Climate change is expected up from eight in 2010. The requests has clearly indicated that NORCAP’s with UNICEF of using this pool and to further increase the risk of extreme came from FAO, IOM, UNDP, UN- contribution has been crucial in galva- recruiting experts to the roster from it. This initiative began with the mapping weather events resulting in disasters. ESCO, UNICEF and WFP. Of the NRC secondees work- nising the agency’s commitment and and analysis of both NORCAP and In response, NORCAP significantly 17 requests, nine secondees were advancing its activities. Another secondee was deployed in UN agencies’ ongoing engagements increased its engagement in DRR in successfully deployed, seven requests ing in this area have mid-2011 as a high-level advisor to with DRR. The aim was to clearly 2011. were unfulfilled, and one is still pend- helped to ensure that Mark Richmond, UNESCO’s director UNDP in Ghana to support govern- understand our partners’ needs and ing. Six DRR-related secondments UNESCO is at the for the division of education for peace ment efforts on DRR, good govern- to identify further opportunities to DRR aims to reduce risks through sys- that began in 2010 also continued into and sustainable development, said: ance and sustainable development. support their activities. It led to the tematic efforts to identify, assess and 2011. Insufficient funds was the most forefront of moving The secondee is based at the office identification of a range of profiles for reduce the causes and consequences common reason for secondees not “the international DRR “NRC secondees working in of the UN resident coordinator, where stand-by personnel required. of disasters. NORCAP supports the being deployed, followed by a lack of this area have helped to ensure he plays a prominent role in helping to efforts of UN agencies, international suitable candidates. agenda forward, that UNESCO is at the forefront ensure that the national action plan on NORCAP then initiated multilateral organisations and local stakeholders especially in the of moving the international DRR DRR is implemented coherently and dialogues with UN agencies and other to increase resilience and minimise During 2011, NORCAP personnel field of education. agenda forward, especially in the effectively. The resident coordinator, stand-by partners during the meet- vulnerabilities at all levels of society. contributed to the development and Mark Richmond, UNESCO field of education.” Ms Ruby Sandhu-Rojon, personally ex- ings held in conjunction with the 20th It works to reduce the adverse im- implementation of DRR practices at pressed her appreciation to NORCAP anniversary conference. The aim was pacts of hazards through prevention, the national level and during all phases “Having staff time focused on DRR for the timely and important support to develop a plan among to ensure limitation, preparedness and mitiga- of the disaster cycle in Chile, Ethiopia, has catalysed the education provided to the UN in Ghana. that the critical gaps in international tion. NORCAP is mainstreaming Ghana, Haiti, Nepal and Pakistan. sector’s advancement of this DRR efforts are met in a coordinated DRR concepts and practices in all of area of work in a way which would NORCAP also provided DRR sup- and strategic way. The dialogues its programmes to ensure that such DRR roles not have been possible without port to various technical sectors in have been enthusiastically taken up issues are integrated into all phases NORCAP secondees were responsi- the NRC’s human resource 2011, such as education, agriculture by NORCAP’s UN partners and will of the disaster cycle – preparedness, ble for technical input, coordination, support … The UNESCO and food security. One secondee continue in the first quarter of 2012. response and recovery. management, planning, monitoring education sector is in the process was deployed to UNESCO’s regional and evaluation of DRR programmes, of recruiting a P4 permanent post education office for Latin America During 2011, NORCAP also par- DRR deployments projects and other activities. Some of ... to further UNESCO’s work in and the Caribbean as a project officer ticipated in a global DRR conference DRR secondment requests and de- the positions were for dedicated DRR DRR and build on the momentum for education and DRR. They were hosted by the UN International Strat- ployments increased in 2011, ranging specialists, while others were for tech- created by the NRC secondees.” responsible for supporting various egy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) from country level prevention and pre- nical specialists with the capacity to education projects at national and in Geneva in May, and the Nansen paredness activities during pre-disas- promote DRR concepts and practices Another NORCAP secondee respon- regional levels. Another secondee, Conference on climate change and ter and development phases, to “build in fields such as agriculture, educa- sible for promoting the international who has extensive experience in DRR displacement hosted by NRC, the back better” initiatives in post-disaster tion, ICT, site planning, camp manage- DRR agenda was deployed to UN- activities in his native Bangladesh, was Norwegian Ministries of the Environ- humanitarian responses. NORCAP ment and early recovery. HCR as a senior technical officer, in deployed to Ethiopia as an emergency ment and Foreign Affairs and the 19 Trends, events & challenges in 2011

Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research (CICERO). This took place in Oslo in June.

Roster development for DRR competence In response to the needs of its UN partners, NORCAP began the recruitment of additional DRR specialists, and the development of DRR capacity training for existing roster members. The roster advertised the recruitment of Norwe- gian candidates in the last quarter of 2011, and will recruit international candidates in the first quarter of 2012. The DRR and climate change adaptation advisor also met the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and the Norwegian Di- rectorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB) to explore possibilities for developing joint training seminars. These dialogues will continue in 2012, and will call on the relevant UN agencies for further input.

Ongoing DRR projects In the final quarter of 2011, NORCAP initiated several DRR projects that will be further developed and implemented in 2012. The first is a high-level, thematic DRR and climate change adaptation project, which aims to strengthen national leadership and support, as well as the coordination of operations between UN agencies, international organisations and stakeholders. In 2012, NORCAP will meet the relevant government bodies, UN agencies and international organisations, including UNDP, UNISDR and MSB, to establish the mandate, management and operation of the project.

NORCAP has also developed a project with the UN En- vironment Programme (UNEP), UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in support of hydro- meteorological DRR activities.

Anna Skibevaag, NORCAP member, currently seconded to UN-HABITAT as programme manager for the resettlement of IDPs in South Sudan. PRIORITIES IN 2011

This chapter outlines NORCAP’s areas of focus in 2011. priorities in 2011

in international operations. The report a focus on institution building and was based on an analysis of recent strengthening local capacity and liveli- developments within international hoods programmes strategic engagement Objective 2: peacekeeping, peacemaking and peacebuilding operations with regard NORCAP continued to focus on NORCAP’s thematic priorities in 2011 were based on humanitarian needs emerging to the use of civilian rosters, and a establishing a bridge between emer- from existing crises, and capacity gaps in the international response to them. The roster comparison of recent developments in gency response and early recovery continuously consults partner organisations on the expertise they require to strengthen the Nordic region. Building on NUPI’s phases, and on providing support to their response to natural disasters, conflict and complex emergencies, and this chapter recommendations and linking with the agencies working to help stabilise work of the Norwegian civilian capac- societies emerging from conflicts or outlines its areas of focus as reflected in the annual plan. ity task force, NORCAP continued its crises. This was reflected in increased efforts to increase the number of as- contributions to emergency activi- signments through NOROBS in 2011. ties of more development-orientated 3 Priorities To support international capacity, par- agencies such as UNESCO, FAO, NORCAP continued to second staff to UN-HABITAT, UNFPA and UNDP, with NORCAP singled out the following three priorities for its secondments in 2011: ticularly within the UN, at all stages the Temporary International Presence a strong focus on capacity building of crises - from prevention, early in the City of Hebron (TIPH), and, at local government and civil society • The protection of civilians and the The themes of gender and protection remained priorities warning and response to monitoring, since January 2011, to the Interna- levels. strengthening of human rights during across all sectors, as did a commitment to cultural and tional Monitoring Team in Mindanao, natural disasters and complex emergencies linguistic diversity - both on the roster and in deployments. reconstruction, conflict resolution, Philippines. It seconded personnel to Activity: Focusing on DRR in sup- NORCAP also focused on strengthening its relationships sustainable development and demo- AU, and has been involved in a review port provided to operations respond- with agencies such as FAO that play significant roles in • Prevention and early warning initiatives of the roster capacity of the African ing to natural disasters prevention as well as the early recovery phase, and that cratic governance Civilian Response Capacity for Peace with a specific focus on DRR have previously made relatively little use of the roster. This Support Operations (AFDEM). It is DRR and response to natural dis- strategy reflects a commitment to provide support during Activity: Strengthening NORCAP’s also in dialogue with the Norwegian • Capacity building of institutions, civil society, asters continued to be a priority in all phases of crises, from prevention and preparedness, civilian observers component Foreign Ministry on supporting Indo- 2011, building upon the experiences local authorities and local UN staff in fragile through response to longer-term recovery, reconstruction (NOROBS) nesian civilian capacity, and it has con- and lessons learned from the field in and new states and development. tributed to a technical working group previous years. NORCAP activities A report published by the Norwegian on rosters and recruitment working support DRR during all phases of the Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) under the International Stabilisation disaster cycle to improve the resilience in 2010 made a series of recom- and Peacebuilding Initiative (ISPI). of communities and nations to haz- mendations as to how the Norwegian ards, and to ensure that responses are 3 objectives Stand-by Roster for Civilian Observers Activity: Advocating for the use of in keeping with the “build back better” (NOROBS) might help to meet the NORCAP at all stages of crises with principle. Focus activities for 2011 are presented below, grouped by the overall objectives identified in the increased need for civilian capacity new and existing partners, including annual plan:

To ensure that civilians caught up in working groups at global and field To enhance the capacity of the international community to prevent and respond levels. Partners’ assessments also to ongoing and future humanitarian challenges emergencies receive protection and identified sexual and gender-based Objective 1: assistance according to their needs Objective 3: violence (SGBV), gender mainstreaming, housing land and property (HLP), and rights Activity: Contributing to a coordinated response to crises through greater child protection and monitoring and focus on support for the cluster approach reporting on grave violations of chil- NORCAP’s mandate highlights dren’s rights under Security Council protection as a key area of support The need for a more coordinated response to crises is well-known and has been resolution 1612 as specific areas that by aiming to ‘ensure that people in a primary focus of the UN reform process. Some progress has been made, but require extensive support and capacity emergencies receive protection and the large-scale disasters in Haiti and Pakistan highlighted the need for further enhancement. improvement of coordination mechanisms and capacity. Coordination and leader- assistance according to their needs ship was the largest area of expertise for NORCAP with 63 secondments. In and rights, with particular emphasis on the protection of civilians and the terms of technical subcategories within this area, there were 13 emergency and ian reform and current emergen- implementation of relevant Security cluster coordination assignments in 2011. cies. Periodic consultations with key Council resolutions’. partners have revealed areas in need The focus of NORCAP’s protection of continuous support, including support is determined by emerging coordination capacity for clusters and needs both in terms of humanitar- 15 25 Against this backdrop, NORCAP aimed in 2011 to contribute to the coordination of clusters; improving the protection of civilians in complex emer- Geographical gencies; research, planning and scoping capacities at the global level for GBV; and child protection. This was coupled with training initiatives for ros- priorities ter members in protection and other related issues. UNHCR’s increased role in responding to natural disasters Emergency response planning is by nature fraught and translated into a request for greater subject to a considerable degree of uncertainty. Both sud- contributions to protection capacity in den and slow-onset natural disasters are inherently hard that context. to predict. Based on lessons learned from previous years, There were 56 secondments for however, some trends are discernible and these guide the protection assignments in 2011. South planning and provision of NORCAP support in geographical Sudan, Egypt (in response to the Libya terms. crisis) and Haiti were the three countries to receive most protection sup- Africa was a major area of focus in 2011. Roster members contributed to port. Secondments to these countries responses to conflicts, complex emergencies and natural disasters, and second- targeted protection efforts in complex ments reflected the thematic priorities of protection, prevention and DRR and emergencies, conflict and natural dis- capacity building. They were also in line with a commitment to capacity building aster settings respectively. The main at various levels of government, and among local NGOs and affected popula- areas of support were child protection tions. By far the largest recipient was South Sudan, but Ivory Coast, Kenya, in South Sudan and refugee status de- Somalia, Liberia and Sudan also figured prominently. termination in Egypt. In Haiti, support revolved around the transition phase In Asia, responses to natural disasters triggered the majority of NORCAP se- from clusters to Haitian ministries, and condments to the region, particularly following the monsoon floods in Pakistan. protection in camps and resettlement The main areas of support included cluster coordination, monitoring and evalua- sites. NORCAP also contributed to an tion, child protection, nutrition, DRR and education. initiative called GBV Area of Respon- sibility (AoR) Research: Scoping Mission on Multisectoral Response NORCAP’s activities in the Middle East and North Africa were inevita- to GBV in Humanitarian Situations, bly shaped by the Arab uprisings in the region. Yemen received much support which aimed to develop sound strate- and the civil war in Libya led to secondments in both Egypt and Tunisia. The gies sustainable in the long term. Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) also continued to receive significant resources via the roster. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees NORCAP has explored the possi- in the Near East (UNRWA) continued to take on a large number of secondees in bility of improving the timeliness of several countries. response through the introduction of standing capacity for the global child In Latin America, interventions continued to focus mainly on the post-earth- protection cluster working group. quake situation in Haiti and regional DRR efforts. UN agencies in Colombia, When part of the rapid response team, Venezuela, Chile and Guatemala also received small-scale support. standing capacity implies that the person is on a full-time contract, spending 70 per cent of their time in the field and the remaining 30 per cent between missions on policy awareness and training. This ensures continuity A Haitian woman walking past one of the newly from the very outset of emergency constructed houses in the Villambetta relocation response, and the initiative will be settlement. Photo: Kristian Boysen further developed in the future. SECOND MENTS

This chapter contains summarised statistics for all regions. The main measurements are person- months in the field and number of secondments.

secondments

SECONDMENTS PERSecondments MAIN CATEGORY per OF main EXPERTISE category of exper3se

Staff & regions Rule of Law and Legal Aﬀairs, 1 Health and Nutri9on, 7 Communica9on, 8

NORCAP seconded staff to 311 assignments in 2011, accounting for 1,659 person- Administra9on and Finance, 9 months in the field. Most of the secondments took place in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Asia, the Americas and Europe – the same Civil Aﬀairs and Democra9za9on, 13 order as in 2010. Secondments to sub-Saharan Africa increased considerably.

Fig 4.1 Coordina9on and Leadership, 63 Engineering, 14 PERSON-MONTHSPerson-‐months AND SECONDMENTS and secondments BY REGION by region

Person-monthPerson-‐month Secondment secondment

635.4635.4 Camp Management, 18 AfriAfrica ca 125125

499.0499.0 MENA Logis9cs and Supply, 23 MENA 9191

Protec9on, 56 236.7236.7 Asia Asia 4747 Informa9on and Technology, 23

197.2197.2 AmeriAmericas caS 3434

91.191.1 EuropeEurope Peacekeeping, 24 1414 Diagram: NORCAP secondments by areas of expertise Social Aﬀairs and Livelihoods, 52 in 2011. Each area contains Fig. 4.1 NORCAP activities in 2011, various technical sub-cate- measured in person-months and gories secondments per region. A secondment is an uninterrupted assignment for one person in one organisation. Three main areas of expertise - coordination and leadership; protection; Secondees who completed missions in 2011 received personal evaluation and social affairs and livelihoods - accounted for more than 50 per cent of the reports from their host agency. Thirty-two per cent performed above expecta- secondments. Peacekeeping; information and technology; logistics and supply; tions, 59 per cent satisfactorily and two per cent below expectations. Six per camp management; and engineering made up between five and ten per cent cent were deemed unqualified or mismatched with the terms of reference.1 each, while civil affairs and democratisation; administration and finance; communication; health and nutrition; and rule of law and legal affairs all accounted for NORCAP received a total of 624 requests in 2011, of which 421 resulted in five per cent or less. contracts being issued. Some requests extended existing secondments. 1 At the time of reporting, 93 reports had been submitted by host agencies

31 secondments

Tunisia 4.1 Morocco Algeria Libya Egypt africa West-Sahara Diagram 4.3

Mauritania Mali Person-monthsPerson months per country per country and and organisation organiza5on Niger Sudan 200.0 Senegal Chad Eritrea Gambia Burkina Faso Djibouti 180.0 Guinea Benin Ivory Coast Nigeria Sierra Leone Togo Ethiopia 160.0 Post-election conflict CAR South Sudan Liberia in Ivory Coast Ghana Cameroon Hostilities broke out early in 2011 fol- Somalia 140.0 Uganda lowing a disputed presidential election There were 33 second- DR Congo Kenya in November 2010, which incumbent Gabon Congo 120.0 ments to South Sudan Laurent Gbagbo claimed to have won Rwanda for nine organisations, Burundi over Alassane Ouattara. Gbagbo was and priority was given to 100.0 ultimately forced to step down in April, assignments outside the Tanzania

Person-‐months Person-‐months ceding the presidency to Ouattara. capital of Juba. Roster 80.0 The hostilities resembled a civil war

s er s on-month members were deployed in Angola P and forced more than 100,000 Ivori- Yambio (Western Equato- ans to flee the country for Liberia. A Zambia Malawi 60.0 ria), Awail (Northern Bahr el few thousand also fled to Ghana, Mali, Ghazal), Wau (Western Bahr Mozambique Burkina Faso and Guinea. Though Zimbabwe 40.0 el Ghazal), Bor (Jonglei), many have since returned, the majority Madagascar Malakal (Upper Nile) and remain refugees in Liberia. There were Rumbek (Lakes). In Sudan, Botswana 20.0 23 secondments to Liberia, Ghana Namibia there were eight secondments and Ivory Coast. for five organisations in Kas- 0.0 South Sudan Kenya Ivory Coast Somalia Liberia Sudan Ethiopia Zimbabwe DRC Chad CAR Namibia Ghana Uganda Mauretania Sierra Leone Guinea Tanzania Benin sala, Khartoum and Darfur. WFP 13.3 6.4 9.2 8.2 4.1 6.0 4.5 6.1 Secession of South Sudan Lesotho South Africa UNWOMEN 3.1 The international community expected Famine in the Horn UNICEF 61.2 11.0 12.8 21.1 15.7 12.2 1.0 8.6 7.0 2.0 3.4 3.0 3.0 some turmoil to surround the January UNHCR 10.6 15.0 15.4 20.6 25.2 10.1 17.8 13.0 6.1 6.0 2011 referendum on South Sudan’s of Africa UNHABITAT 11.9 secession, but in fact it was conduct- The international reponse to the fam- UNFPA 22.7 7.5 5.0 1.0 11.1 worked with the UN in Mauritania, ed almost without incident. The vast ine in Somalia, Ethiopia and northern Sierra Leone, Benin, Chad, Uganda, UNESCO 1.0 Kenya started in the early summer of UNDP 20.1 1.6 6.0 3.2 majority of South Sudanese voted in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia and 2011. Conflict between the Somali TFP 12.2 favour of secession, and the new na- DRC. Support was related to flooding, OCHA 7.0 6.0 5.6 9.5 tion was officially proclaimed on 9 July government and al-Shabaab rebels DRR and other humanitarian assis- IOM 5.7 16.9 1.0 2011. Among the many challenges fac- severely hampered the international tance. Most of the secondments were FAO 31.1 8.6 7.0 9.7 4.8 10.4 9.1 ing the nascent state are the building community’s access to the worst-af- one-offs to fill critical gaps, meaning AU 23.9 of new political, judicial and education fected regions of southern and central AEC 3.1 9.8 extension requests are unlikely, with systems and the improvement of its Somalia. the exception of Chad and DRC. As infrastructure. in 2011, these countries are likely to Three crises – the post-election conflict in Ivory Coast, the secession of South Sudan and Because of the dire security situation, receive continued support in the form most of the 21 experts seconded to the famine in the Horn of Africa and their effects on surrounding countries - accounted Disputed regions remain on the border of humanitarian affairs officers and between South Sudan and Sudan, the Horn of Africa worked in Ethiopia protection officers. for the majority of secondments to the region. Smaller-scale support was also provided to and these are the scene of frequent and Kenya, making only occasional other countries, including Chad, DRC, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Sudan and South Sudan hostilities. There are also internal con- visits to Somalia when it was deemed received the most support in terms of person-months, due in part to secondments being flicts and power struggles between safe enough to do so. to longer-term projects than elsewhere. In the region as a whole, NORCAP deployed 124 various tribal groups within South The above three crises accounted secondees to ten UN and four non-UN organisations in 20 countries, amounting to some Sudan. Both scenarios are likely to persist in the years to come. for the majority of NORCAP second- 634 person-months in the field. ments, but roster members also 33 secondments 4.2americas Thirty-four secondments to 12 organisations in the Americas amounted to 197 person- months in the field. The vast majority were to Haiti, continuing support begun following Haiti the devastating 2010 earthquake. NORCAP also contributed to UN operations at a regional NORCAP continued to provide substantial assistance to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and ensuing level for FAO and UNESCO, staffing positions in Venezuela, Colombia, Guatemala and cholera epidemic. Experts from the roster contributed to the crucial phases of recovery, reconstruction Chile with a focus on DRR and preparedness. and stabilisation. Core priorities for Haiti in 2011 were divided into five main categories: Diagram 4.4 • DRR and emergency preparedness: • Support for IHRC and strengthening of Haiti was already a fragile state before the 2010 disaster Person-‐months per country and organiza5on Person-months per country and organisation struck. As such, much emphasis needed to be placed on local government: 180.0 preparing for future challenges. Institutions needed train- NORCAP continued to liaise with NMFA on how IHRC and ing in emergency preparedness to be able to cope with the relevant Haitian ministries could be further supported. One 160.0 potential impacts of disease, political instability and natural outcome was NFMA’s initiation of development hub pro- disasters. NORCAP worked with UNICEF, FAO, IOM and jects in Les Cayes. For example, two roster members were 140.0 UNESCO on DRR and preparedness. It also seconded seconded to UNEP to work on clean energy and private experts on child protection, WASH and education whose sector development. 120.0 work also included elements of preparedness and DRR, for example in the event of flooding in camps. • Urban reconstruction and rural 100.0 development: Many people living in camps had neither the necessary

Person-‐months Person-‐months 80.0 • Recovery, reconstruction, debris skills nor background to successfully relocate to rural management and the phasing out of camps: areas. A need to support both urban agriculture and rural 60.0 Basic needs still needed to be met in 2011, particularly in development initiatives was identified in order to guarantee terms of sustainable shelter. The phasing out of camps food security and create jobs in the coming years. NOR-

s er s on-month 40.0 CAP seconded personnel to various recovery projects with P was expected to place a huge demand on resources in removing debris and preparing spaces for people to rebuild FAO, UN-HABITAT and UNDP to ensure progress in these areas. 20.0 their property, social networks and livelihoods, while at the same time enhancing the capacity of local authori-

0.0 ties, implementing work creation schemes and enforcing Hai$ Colombia Venezuela Chile Guatemala WFP 1.4 land and housing rights. NORCAP contributed to meeting UNICEF 3.8 these challenges through secondments to UNDP, IOM, UNHCR 11.0 UNHABITAT 8.3 UN-HABITAT, UNEP, and IHRC. UNFPA 12.2 UNESCO 1.4 4.1 2.8 UNEP 6.3 UNDP 12.2 OHCHR 3.6 • SGBV and protection, including NMFA 13.2 IOM 67.2 child protection: FAO 38.5 11.1 The protection cluster is co-chaired by OHCHR and the Latin America and the Caribbean tion’s emergency initiatives and DRR measures through UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), and the UNESCO. caseload in the camps is handled by IOM. The cluster Colombia has some of the worst indices of forced displace- was in need of further support, and the gender sub-cluster ment in the world. The Internal Displacement Monitoring was expected to receive substantial backing from UNFPA Centre (IDMC) estimates that the country has 5.9 million Two regional secondments to FAO focused on DRR, prevention and communication in the areas of food secu- and IHRC. Child protection and nutrition were handled by internally displaced people (IDPs), while the Colombian UNICEF. NORCAP contributed to the transition of respon- government puts the figure at 3.3 million. NORCAP sec- rity and nutrition. The secondees had some involvement in operations in Haiti, but most of their work was centred on sibilities for these areas from the protection cluster to local onded two people to OCHA in Colombia, and two roster authorities through its work with the cluster’s co-chairs. members were also deployed with UNHCR in Venezuela other countries, for example Peru, Colombia and smaller Caribbean nations. Through UNFPA, it also seconded a special advisor to the to assist in meeting the needs of the many refugees who Ministry of Women’s Affairs to build capacity on gender cross the border. Continuing violence in Colombia means analysis and the relevant international legal instruments. there is a need for further support. The roster also provided a regional DRR specialist for UN- ESCO, and a food security cluster coordinator in Colombia. In Guatemala, NORCAP supported the Ministry of Educa- A regional information manager has been working with the food clusters active in the region. 35 4.3 secondments There were 25 NORCAP secondments to IOM, FAO, UN- field of protection and community services targeting Afghan HABITAT, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNESCO, WFP and OCHA refugees. The secondees worked primarily with refugees asia in 2011. Areas of expertise included WASH, shelter, coor- in the Tehran area to deliver training and services. UNHCR Forty-six secondments to 12 organisations in Asia amounted to 237 person-months in dination, information management and child protection, with has requested an additional two secondees, but the time- the field. Most requests came from countries affected by natural disasters, from flooding most secondees based in Multan, Sukkur, Quetta, Karachi consuming visa application process – which can take up to in Pakistan, Thailand and Nepal to drought in Afghanistan and North Korea. Pakistan and Islamabad. six months – means that the request has not been fulfilled. received the highest number of secondments, both in continued response to the UN agencies faced a number of challenges, including The main challenges to working in Iran were government unprecedented 2010 floods and for new projects following renewed flooding in the insecurity in Balochistan and restricted access to the tribal restrictions on UNHCR’s activities and limitations on direct Sindh province last year. areas. Opposition groups operating from Quetta towards contact with refugees. BAFIA’s lengthy procedure for ap- the provincial border with Sindh also obstructed access to proving projects also hampered secondees’ ability to carry Person-monthsPerson-‐months per per country country and and organisation organiza5on the affected population. Lack of infrastructure and scarce out community service activities and field missions. 140.0 funding for certain programmes hampered the implementa- Diagram 4.5 tion and efficiency of the emergency operation in response Kyrgyzstan to the 2011 floods. The assassination of Osama bin Laden Significant discontent and a major outbreak of inter-ethnic 120.0 in Abbottabad led to the evacuation of staff from field of- violence in southern Kyrgyzstan in 2010 had a lasting fices to Islamabad and other cities. impact on the social and economic situation across the country during 2011. The violence has largely died down 100.0 Afghanistan but humanitarian needs remain, especially in Osh. Limited snow and rainfall during the winter of 2010 and the spring of 2011 led to a slow-onset disaster in the form The country’s Family Child Support Department estimated 80.0 of drought in northern, north-eastern and western Af- that 125,000 children, or 34 per cent, were in need of ghanistan. Despite progress in some areas, many Afghans health and social services during 2011 as a result of the cri- continue to suffer chronic vulnerability compounded by sis. Children without parental care and victims of violence Person-‐months Person-‐months 60.0

s er s on-month insecurity and violent conflict. There was an 18 per cent and abuse were among those most at risk, along with those P increase in security incidents in 2011 compared with 2010, involved in criminal behaviour, living and working on the a situation which hampered humanitarian work as well as streets, with disabilities or undertaking dangerous work. 40.0 impacting the local population directly. Young ethnic Kyrgyz girls in rural areas risk being abducted for marriage, and ethnic Uzbek girls face a growing trend If this winter proves harsh and prolonged, there is a risk towards early marriage. 20.0 that the crisis will deepen unless the government and its development partners can put more sustainable, longer- UNICEF requested four NORCAP staff with expertise in term DRR programmes in place. The situation leaves Af- education, water and sanitation, information and reporting. 0.0 Pakistan Afghanistan Philippines Iran Kyrgyzstan Thailand North Korea Myanmar-‐Burma Nepal ghanistan in desperate need of specialised personnel, but All four had completed their assignments by July 2011. OCHA 1.0 the safety and security of civilians and humanitarian work- UNWOMEN 4.0 UNDP 5.1 ers remains a great concern in many parts of the country. North Korea UNESCO 4.7 4.1 UNFPA 10.6 Drought in North Korea has seriously affected nutrition WFP 5.6 7.2 6.6 There were four NORCAP secondments to Afghanistan and food production, and the country’s economy in gen- IOM 16.1 4.9 in 2011: a programme officer for IOM, a GBV advisor for UNHCR 6.0 16.7 eral. Following a rapid assessment in February and March IMT 24.4 UN-WOMEN, a child protection officer for UNICEF and a 2011, WFP launched an emergency operation the following FAO 26.8 3.0 psychosocial counselling advisor for UNFPA. UNHABITAT 39.5 month targeting 3.5 million of the most vulnerable women, UNICEF 28.1 5.7 15.1 1.7 children and elderly in the most food-insecure parts of the Iran country. NORCAP seconded personnel to the following organisa- countries of the region. The 2010 floods affected a vast Iran hosts the second largest number of long-term refugees tions: UNICEF, UNHCR, IOM, WFP, FAO, UN-HABITAT, geographical area and an unprecedented number of peo- in the world. According to the country’s Bureau for Aliens Despite an overall improvement in agriculture since the mid- UNFPA, OCHA, UNESCO, UNDP, UN-WOMEN and IMT2. ple, and had a devastating economic impact. It is estimated and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs (BAFIA), as of March 2010 1990s, North Korea continues to experience widespread The main areas of expertise covered were coordination and that more than 20 million people, nearly ten per cent of the nearly 1.1 million refugees were registered with the authori- food shortages, especially of cereals and pulses. Cereal leadership; protection; and social affairs and livelihoods, population, were affected. Many were already struggling ties – just over a million Afghans and nearly 44,000 Iraqis. production is far below the minimum national require- with UNICEF, UN-HABITAT and FAO receiving most sec- in the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake and displacement The majority live in urban areas, and only three per cent ment. The country also suffers high food prices, a lack of ondees. caused by military operations in 2009. The monsoon rains live in settlements. UNHCR’s main focus in 2011 was to fertilisers and agricultural machinery, limited arable land, in September 2011 caused further severe flooding in Sindh enhance refugees’ livelihood capacities through vocational over-exploitation of that which is available, inadequate fuel province. training and facilitating access to education and primary supplies and an acute energy crisis. Pakistan health care. Pakistan continued to be the largest recipient of NORCAP NORCAP roster members have worked in North Korea support in Asia during 2011, far exceeding levels in other 2 See information on IMT under subchapter ‘Special There were two NORCAP secondments to UNHCR in the since the 1990s with WFP and UNICEF. The UN faces Secondments’. 37 4.3 ASIA secondments

many challenges in its work, however, including restrictions on the number of humanitarian personnel allowed into the country, time-consuming visa formalities and limited access to the affected population. As a result there was only one NORCAP secondment to the country in 2011 - a fleet manager for WFP.

Thailand Thailand experienced its worst floods in decades in 2011, with 2.45 million people affected and 28 of the country’s 77 provinces declared disaster areas. An estimated 113,000 people remain in temporary shelters. The government identified a lack of emergency equipment, such as boats and outboard motors to help reach victims of the disaster, as its most serious shortfall.

Through its regional office in Bangkok, WFP helped to fill critical gaps in the relief effort using its procurement and logistics capacity. NORCAP seconded a cash and voucher officer to the agency, responsible for providing technical support and guidance in Thailand and 14 other Asian countries. WFP’s largest cash and voucher portfolio is in Asia.

Nepal Torrential rainfall in September 2011 triggered flash floods in Mahottari district and caused hardship for many inhabitants in terms of shelter and livelihoods. The Dalit communities were worst-affected, with nearly 25 per cent of agricultural crops damaged in 30 village development committees. Cash grants were distributed to affected families through local branches of the Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee.

The government has been urged to develop a countrywide DRR initiative, and out of 35 central and western districts, 24 have already completed disaster preparedness and response (DPR) plans. Although provisions have been made to form DPR monitoring committees, most districts do not have them yet.

In order to help develop a more holistic approach to DRR, UNESCO requested a NORCAP expert to focus on thematic mapping and the identification of potential donors for DRR activities in the education sector. Potential initiatives were identified and a workshop on the issue planned for Novem- ber 2011, but this was postponed until early 2012 to allow UNICEF to attend. The agenda for the workshop was to take stock of DRR initiatives in the education sector, provide DRR training, lay out an action plan and suggest ways in which DRR might be integrated into education planning. A DRR focal point might be established in the Ministry of Education’s information management system, and DRR might be incorporated into initiatives for education in emergencies. Mother and child in a camp in Umerkot district, Pakistan. Photo: Åshild Eliassen

39 4.4 secondments North Africa All these elements of conflict, combined with poverty, and On 20 October 2011 Libyan rebels captured Muammar drought, soaring food prices and collapsing state services Middle east Gaddafi outside his hometown of Sirte, bringing to an end have made life a daily struggle for survival for millions of eight months of armed struggle to topple the regime. In people – including 100,000 IDPs who fled recent fighting support of the UN response to the conflict and its after- in the south, 300,000 displaced by previous conflicts in the math, NORCAP personnel were seconded to agencies, north and thousands of refugees from the Horn of Africa. particularly UNHCR, in Egypt and Tunisia. OCHA, UNICEF, FAO, and UNFPA also took experts from the roster. Restricted access severely hampered NORCAP’s support to UN agencies. It was anticipated that Yemen would have 2011 saw developmentsnort in the Middle East andh North Africaafrica that had been in the making for From the onset of the uprising in Libya, the protection of the largest number of secondees in the region in 2011, but a long time, but few imagined they would take place with such force and ferocity. Political vulnerable populations was at the forefront of NORCAP’s this scenario changed with the UN evacuations of non-es- unrest and popular protest brought down regimes in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, and the situa- support. Within days of hostilities breaking out, two experi- sential staff. As the security situation deteriorated, secon- enced Arabic-speaking protection officers were deployed dees were either evacuated or contracts cancelled. By the tion in Syria and Yemen remains highly volatile. There were 62 NORCAP secondments to 11 end of June there were only two experts from the roster 3 in Tunisia and Egypt. Two more protection officers were organisations in the region last year, amounting to some 312 person-months in the field. later deployed to Tunisia. Four refugee status determination working in the country. officers were seconded, three to Egypt and one to Tunisia, to provide support to those fleeing the fighting. In some cases NORCAP’s contribution was seen as es- Person-monthsPerson-‐months per country per country and and organisation organiza5on sential to programmes continuing. Both UNICEF and WFP 80.0 A WASH specialist was seconded to UNICEF to take kept stand-by personnel operative until late May, when gun responsibility for the leadership of the sector working battles erupted in Sana’a between government forces and group, coordination, fundraising and implementation of the fighters loyal to the country’s most powerful tribal leader, Sadeq Al-Ahmar. New secondees were deployed when the 70.0 agency’s WASH programme for Libyan refugees in Tunisia. A supply officer was also seconded to support the agen- situation had calmed in the summer and early autumn, only cy’s response. A secondee deployed to UNFPA in Tunisia to be evacuated when fighting flared again a few weeks headed the agency’s office in Zarzis on the border with later. 60.0 Libya, where much of their work was geared towards GBV awareness and capacity building. Lastly, one secondee Syria worked for a short period with OCHA as a humanitarian The uprising against the regime of President Bashar al- 50.0 affairs officer in Cairo. Assad began in March 2011 and continued for the rest of the year as the authorities attempted to clamp down on the Low ceilings for international staff numbers in Libya meant protests. NORCAP seconded a child protection officer to that it was only at the very end of 2011 that an expert from 40.0 Lebanon to assist the UN response to Syrian refugees who the roster began working inside Libya itself. The secon- had crossed the border. Person-‐months Person-‐months

s month er s on- dee worked with the humanitarian unit within the National P Transitional Council and conducted WASH needs assess- Inside Syria, secondments to WFP, UNHCR and UNRWA 30.0 ments. were directed in part to supporting the agencies’ Iraqi refugee programmes. Two other secondments to UNRWA Yemen were particularly praised for their contributions to the 20.0 The situation in Yemen became increasingly volatile in country office’s reform programme and internal procedures. 2011, with constant challenges to the state’s authority and Because of the deteriorating security situation one of the its control of the country. Huge demonstrations calling secondees was evacuated to Amman.

10.0 for regime change provoked violent crackdowns from the authorities. Students led the uprising against President Ab- Occupied Palestinian Territories dullah Saleh in several cities, including the capital Sana’a, UNICEF was the agency to request most NORCAP per- Aden and Taiz. In the north, Houthi rebels gained control of sonnel for OPT in 2011. The agency used the roster, among 0.0 OPT Yemen Jordan Egypt Syria Tunisia Iraq Lebanon Sa’ada province in a power vacuum created by the govern- other things, to cover capacity gaps in child protection UNHCR 16.1 29.6 9.2 14.9 3.1 ment’s focus on threats elsewhere. through a position based in Jerusalem that covered both UNICEF 16.3 17.5 8.8 8.2 8.2 5.2 the West Bank and Gaza. Protection was also an important UNRWA 6.0 27.9 23.5 5.6 Fighting between government and armed separatist forces area of focus for UNRWA, which received a protection UNESCO 14.2 11.1 in the south, the activities of Islamist extremist groups and officer who worked on reporting, advocacy and liaison be- WFP 12.1 1.3 5.0 conflicts between tribes competing for local power and FAO 10.5 5.5 tween the Israeli government and the Palestinian National influence constituted further major challenges. UNFPA 9.6 6.2 Authority. LACS 15.1 UNWOMEN UNESCO also received NORCAP support for its higher 9.7 3 For information on TIPH, see separate UNHABITAT 5.1 4.0 subchapter “TIPH” education initiatives. The project involved e-learning for OCHA 3.1 41 secondments 4.5special

Palestinian students and teacher-training courses designed in collaboration with the University of Oslo and the Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences. FAO and NORCAP had a cost-sharing agreement for covering administration capacity gaps throughout the year. secondments An architect from the roster was seconded to UN-HABITAT Special secondments are requests by NMFA to staff specific positions within the UN or to support the agency in mapping, planning, shelter provi- other organisations. At the time of this report, five roster members are on assignment fol- sion, the prevention of displacements and demolitions, the establishment of building rights and the building of a lowing such requests. database of relevant assessments to inform future planning work. Senior police advisor purpose is to enable the UN Action network and Office of Training for Peace in Africa is an international capacity the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict NORCAP also continued to second donor coordinators to building programme aimed at improving and sustaining (OSRSG-SVC) to support accelerated implementation the Local Aid Coordination Secretariat (LACS) in Ra- African civilian and police capacity for peace support op- of the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements in mallah. At times secondees operated as the head of the erations, with a view to strengthening the African security DRC, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast and South Su- organisation. architecture. The programme focuses on training, policy dan. The consultant will also undertake ad hoc reviews of advice and research, with many of the activities carried out conflict-related sexual violence, assess the UN response in Iraq by African partners. The programme is jointly funded by selected situations of concern, and assist with the design and implementation of comprehensive strategies to combat NORCAP supported UNICEF in expanding its database NMFA and the Norwegian Police Directorate, and since sexual violence in priority countries. for registering and verifying violations of children’s rights in 2008 NORCAP has seconded a senior police advisor to it. armed conflicts. The database was established and developed by secondees from the roster in 2010. Programme coordinator and programme OCHA donor support group manager Staff assigned to the Permanent Mission of Norway in Ge- neva worked on the country’s chairmanship of the OCHA Support for UNESCO focused on improving literacy, The Transitional Support Unit (TSU) was established to donor support group. The group meets on a monthly basis which has declined dramatically since the 2003 invasion, support negotiations on future relations between the gov- and provides a forum for support and policy dialogue with and civic and human rights as they pertain to education. ernments of Sudan and South Sudan, which are being held OCHA on the operations and direction of the organisation NORCAP also seconded an associate programme officer under the auspices of the African Union High Level Imple- and its role in the broader humanitarian system. to UNHCR. The secondee was stationed in Basra, and mentation Panel (AUHIP). The TSU will manage financial helped in the design and preparation of project proposals and technical support to AUHIP and to a joint technical Based on OCHA’s strategic framework, three priorities and sub-project agreements for implementing partners. secretariat for the parties, following a demand-led model. have been set for the chairmanship, namely to enhance the The TSU will be strictly time-limited, with initial funding for agency’s results framework and reporting, to strengthen its UNRWA six months, renewable once to give a maximum project role to ensure a coordinated and effective delivery of hu- As in recent years, NORCAP continued to support UN- lifespan of a year. The TSU is a follow-on mechanism to the manitarian assistance in the field, and to enhance and build RWA in its reform process, and secondments to its HQ in Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) and will new partnerships for humanitarian action. One example of Amman in 2011 focused specifically on this. Contributions continue the support functions for the negotiation process activities undertaken is a partnership field mission to Haiti, included developing project cycle manuals, training local it provided. NORCAP has supported TSU with a pro- organised to raise awareness of the value of UN-led multi- staff, improving results-based monitoring and addressing gramme coordinator based in Khartoum and a programme lateral humanitarian assistance and encourage a strength- other management challenges. manager based in Juba since October 2011. ened engagement with OCHA. An experienced education expert was also seconded to the Senior advisor on sexual violence UN HQ Amman HQ to help the education department in docu- In June 2008, the UN Security Council adopted resolution NORCAP continued its support to various UN headquar- menting current classroom practices in UNRWA schools. 1820, identifying conflict-related sexual violence as a core ters during the first six months of 2011. At the time of this The secondee is developing a framework for classroom security challenge and an impediment to the maintenance report, five roster members are on assignment at HQ level observation in cooperation with the agency’s research and of international peace and security. In September 2009, it at UNICEF, UNESCO, WFP, UNHCR and FAO. teacher development unit, contributing to the analysis of adopted resolution 1888 to advance implementation. In teaching and learning. December 2010, a third resolution was passed, which NORCAP has supported UNICEF since July 2011 with created a comprehensive monitoring and accountabil- a child protection expert as part of the newly established ity architecture. Since September 2011 NORCAP has rapid response team. The secondee is administratively administered a consultancy funded by UN Action. The 43 secondments

4.6 The stationed in Geneva, and works in cooperation with two other experts supported temporary by Save the Children and the Danish Refugee Council. The team is prepared for rapid deployment in case of emergencies, and will provide technical support to UNICEF globally. The staff member currently on assignment with UNESCO in Paris supports the international presence planning and management of UNESCO’s education activities in post-conflict and post-disaster situations, and also contributes to the coordination and insti- tutionalising of best practices to secure coherent and adequate responses in ongoing and potential future crises. in the city of hebron NORCAP is currently supporting WFP in Rome with a technical assistant who helps in the analysis and use of new and updated national household survey data from the National Statistical Office and the World Bank, which also in- The Temporary International Presence in the cludes key standard WFP modules on food security. The main objectives are to City of Hebron (TIPH) is made up of rep- conduct a research project on validating core food security indicators, to give resentatives of the Israeli and Palestinian technical support to food security analyses and to enhance the capacity of WFP authorities and six member states: Norway, staff in carrying them out. Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland and The secondee currently on assignment with UNHCR has launched a project Turkey. to develop a strategy on mainstreaming climate change adaptation (CCA) and The two parties to the conflict have agreed that an inter- DRR into refugee operations. The project will assess selected refugee opera- national civilian mission should observe and report on the tions and host countries’ awareness, capacity and potential for adapting to situation in Hebron. All the member states support TIPH with extreme weather events such as droughts or floods. This will be done through funding and personnel under the responsibility of NMFA. technical measures and climate proofing options in water and sanitation, agriculture and food security, and to secure funding for this work in order to increase As in 2010, NORCAP provided TIPH with personnel for 15 the resilience of vulnerable populations. The secondee is working closely with positions in 2011, amounting to 186 person-months. Eight UNHCR’s protection division to address the gap in refugee law concerning civilian observers where also recruited and deployed to TIPH climate-induced displacement and organised a side event to the UN climate through NOROBS to work alongside the head of research change conference in Durban on African adaptation initiatives. and analysis, finance officer, secretary to the head of mission, IT manager, deputy building and transport manager, NORCAP has one secondment to FAO HQ in Rome, filling the position of hu- project manager and gender advisor. manitarian policy support and communications officer in the emergency operations and rehabilitation division. The staff member supports the agency in the TIPH produces incident reports, documents breaches of development of strategic policy messaging on humanitarian issues, working in the agreement and human rights violations, and provides close cooperation with its emergency operations staff. They also contribute to information about the situation and development in the city. It FAO’s engagement in inter-agency forums. The aim is to strengthen advocacy shares its reports with the Palestinian National Authority, the on field level concerns and to enable the development of more coherent global Israeli government and the TIPH member states. FAO emergency messaging.

NOROBS As set out in the annual plan for 2011, the core focus during the year was to improve the operation of the roster and ensure its recognition among relevant stakeholders.

As part of this process, NORCAP seconded two civilian observers to the International Monitoring Team in Mindanao, Philippines in January 2011. Their primary task was to monitor, verify and report non-compliance by all parties in their basic undertaking to protect civilians and civilian communities. At the time of this report, NMFA has confirmed its commitment to support these positions for an additional six months.

45 FROM THE FIELD

This chapter provides accounts of secondments in all regions. Covering six organisations and eight countries, they are snapshots from roster members that illustrate the wide range of work NORCAP was involved in during 2011.

59 FROM THE FIELD

Figure 2 This graph shows the number of people living in camps from July 2010 to Novem- ber 2011, and the distribution of IDP camps in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan region as of Haiti two years on November 2011. Source data: IOM DTM V2.0. Illustration: Tanja Bergqvist/NRC

Tanja Bergqvist is an architect and urban plan- ner seconded to Haiti since August 2010. She is project manager for IOM’s camp coordination and camp management (CCCM) site planning unit, working with a team of 11 colleagues specialised in planning and implementing the relocation and return of people displaced by the earthquake.

The earthquake razed 250,000 buildings. According to a Integrated urban planning has not been a feature of the ex- study by the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and pansion, which as a result has only served to fuel conflicts Communications (MTPTC), 26 per cent of the 380,000 and poverty among a significant proportion of the popula- Centre Refugies Hatiens IDP camp buildings still standing in the capital are in a dangerous tion. in Tabarre commune, Port-au-Prince, condition. Twenty per cent are severely damaged and will pictured in May 2011, when it was host- have to be demolished. With no economic alternatives, many families migrated to ing 812 families. Photo: Mari Krakenes/ urban areas in search of a better life, doubling the popula- NRC Camp populations experienced an increased threat of tion of the capital region.4 This has led to the emergence As of November 2011, almost two years after the devastating earth- forced evictions in 2011. As of November, almost 75 per of informal urban settlements, or bidonvilles. These have 3 quake, there were still 520,000 people living in IDP camps, mainly in cent of camps were on private land, and these continue become relatively high density settlements, growing to oc- the Port-au-Prince metropolitan region.1 to close at a faster rate than those on public land. This is cupy much of the available land in the capital. Many are lo- mainly the result of owners reclaiming their land for future cated either on hillsides or lowlands prone to flooding, with In the months following the January with Disaster Affected Communities development. If the trend continues, evictions will remain challenging geotechnical conditions. Many of the dwellings 2010 earthquake, 1.5 million people (CDAC) carried out a major survey a threat in 2012. Humanitarian agencies try to mediate are self-built and do not comply with building regulations. were displaced to camps, but since among the remaining IDPs in camps.2 between landowners and IDPs, but even when the negotia- These factors help to explain why many of these over-pop- then some two-thirds have moved The first of its kind, the survey investi- tions are successful in many cases they result only in delay- ulated areas were so severely affected by the earthquake, elsewhere. The number of IDP sites gated their aspirations and intentions ing eviction rather than a long-term solution. and why they remain vulnerable to future natural disasters. has decreased from 1,555 to 758. in terms of alternative housing solu- Despite this reduction, the ongoing tions. It found that 94 per cent would Displacement dynamics Post-earthquake displacement need for basic services and protection leave if they had alternatives. Most of Rural to urban migration The massive displacement of Haitians following the earth- of those still living in tents and under those interviewed, however, said they The urban expansion of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan re- quake added severe pressure to an already overloaded tarpaulins remains significant. would neither have the means to pay gion over the past 30 years has been caused in part by soil urban system. The majority of IDPs currently live in 61 large rent, nor the resources to repair or erosion and land fragmentation in rural areas, which has led camps in urban areas. These camps, however, make up Why do people continue to live in replace their damaged or destroyed to reduced agricultural productivity. only eight per cent of the total number, which constitutes a centralised displacement pattern. The challenging humani- 1 IOM displacement tracking matrix V2.0, camps despite the increased vulner- homes if they had to leave immediately. November 30 2011 ability to natural disasters, security and 3 IOM displacement tracking matrix V2.0, November 30 2011 tarian situation following the earthquake and minimal ability eviction threats, and the challenging IDPs also face challenges of a system- of the Haitian government to meet the basic needs of the 2 Enquête IOM, ACTED et CDAC, Intentions sanitation conditions they face there? ic nature. Because of urban expansion 4 Presentation “Les reformes institutionnelles necessaries, de- urban population have forced many families to return to coupage administratif et tenure foncière” Michele ORIOL, Secre- Des Deplaces. The report can be downloaded rural areas. The international relief effort, meanwhile, has at http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/ In August 2011, IOM, the Agency for over the last three decades, there was tariat technique du CIAT, Form Sur La Planification Stratégique resources/Full_Report_1967.pdf Technical Cooperation and Develop- insufficient infrastructure and housing De Lan Zone Métropolitaine de Port-au-Prince, 22 November focused for the large part on urban areas. ment (ACTED) and Communicating in Port-au-Prince even before 2011, Hotel Karibe, Port-au-Prince 49 FROM THE FIELD

Migration and displacement in Haiti before and after the earthquake. Illustration: Tanja Bergqvist/NRC

Safe return and relocation The first stage in the community plan humanitarian organisations will need The humanitarian community has is to clear Morne Hercule of all debris both to improve their collaboration and made some progress in adapting its blocking access routes and land. to consider mid-term bridging solu- response to a complex urban context. Some 13,000 m3 or 26,700 buckets tions. Alternatives will also need to be Throughout 2011, relief organisations of debris have already been manually developed for families unable to return focused on facilitating camp closure removed, generating more than 120 home or find accommodation with and IDPs’ safe return or relocation. To jobs for residents with commercial host families. this end, their response was concen- contractors. To further improve the lim- trated in three areas: the reconstruc- ited accessibility of the community and The provision of humanitarian aid in ur- tion and rehabilitation of affected to prepare and stabilise plots for the ban areas has had a centralising effect neighbourhoods, the establishment of reconstruction of housing, the team on population movements. There is a newly planned relocation settlements is also relaying pathways and building continued need to support a process and the provision of temporary rental retaining walls. Morne Hercule is now of decentralisation in the redevelop- assistance packages to those still liv- a part of the 16/6 project. ment and reconstruction process, ing in camps. Workers prepare steel reinforcements in order to encourage the spread of for a concrete retaining wall in Morne The Villambetta relocation settlement resources and opportunities around Significant progress has been made. Hercule. Photo: Tanja Bergqvist/NRC provides accommodation and support the country and alleviate overcrowding Some five million cubic metres of to IDPs who used to live in nearby in Port-au-Prince. debris, or 50 per cent of the total, makeshift camps in the Tabarre com- has been removed, and more than mune of Port-au-Prince. In collabora- The anticipated transition of the clus- 100,000 transitional shelters have tion with the local authorities and shelter coordination system’s responsibili- been built, which have facilitated the ter and WASH partners, our unit was ties to local and national authorities return or relocation of 420,000 IDPs. responsible for developing the new will require strengthened and transpar- Reconstruction efforts are, however, settlement and establishing dignified ent government, and institutions will limited by the lack of suitable land to turn and relocation by planning and In collaboration with Morne Hercule living conditions for some 220 families need significant international support develop. This due in part to the lack establishing relocation settlements residents, the project team conducted unable to return home or find accom- to strengthen the capacities of the of a national land registry of land and according to international humanitarian a land survey of the neighbourhood, modation with host families. state. Consistent and reliable fund- the prevalence of extra-legal arrange- standards, conducting land suitability identified and registered all pre-earth- ing also remains crucial to be able to ments. and physical hazard assessments of quake residents, investigated the legal There was a lack of public land to plan for reconstruction on the scale potential new land for development, status of land parcels and carried out develop in Tabarre and the sloping site required. Community and neighbourhood- removing debris and helping in the detailed engineering needs assess- the local authorities did make available based approaches to reconstruction reconstruction of neighbourhoods ments to inform the reconstruction needed extensive preparation to make When Haitians are asked what they have been developed. The Haitian in Port-au-Prince and other affected effort. The information collected was it safe and suitable for establishing the think the priorities of the reconstruc- government has launched the IHRC- regions. used to establish a needs-based com- Workers cast concrete on a retaining settlement. tion process should be, they generally approved 16 Neighbourhoods – Six munity plan and identify priorities for wall in Morne Hercule. Photo: Jean give two answers: “I am looking for Camps (16/6) project, by far the Neighborhood Reconstruction the humanitarian response. Julien Dorval/IOM Beyond two years job” and “I need a safe place to live”. A sustainable drive to provide more largest governmental-led reconstruc- The community return programme was Many organisations faced funding con- permanent housing solutions and tion initiative. It aims to rehabilitate established to encourage and facili- straints in 2011 and as a result have initiate labour-intensive reconstruction 16 neighbourhoods in three Port-au- tate IDPs’ sustainable and safe return phased out their assistance in camps. projects will hopefully go some way to Prince communes. By reconstructing from makeshift settlements to their Basic needs such as protection, shel- meeting those needs. housing stock and urban infrastruc- places of origin. Among other things, it ter, drinkable water and latrines, how- ture, it will allow the closure of six provides help with debris removal and ever, remain unmet. One in five IDPs camps and facilitate the return to their site preparation to households unable in camps has no access to a latrine. A original neighbourhoods of more than to carry out the task themselves. The continued focus on providing humani- 5,000 displaced households living in project team works in Morne Hercule, tarian relief to camps and vulnerable makeshift settlements. The majority an informal settlement in the Petion- communities is necessary. of the 16 communities involved are in- Ville municipality of Port-au-Prince. formal settlements that had few urban The area was severely damaged by Streamlining humanitarian develop- services before the earthquake. As the earthquake, with 80 per cent of ment and reconstruction efforts in such, the project will have a positive the housing stock destroyed or made urban areas will also remain a focus impact on all residents, not only the unsafe to inhabit. The majority of the in 2012, with return and relocation returning IDPs. population was displaced to camps in The community plan prepared by the initiatives continuing to facilitate IDPs’ the immediate area. project team in collaboration with Morne The Villambetta relocation settlement long term solutions. Given the extent IOM’s CCCM site planning unit has Hercule residents. Illustration: Danhiro under construction. Photo: Havard of reconstruction needed in some supported the process of safe re- Nyaruwa/IOM Breivik/NRC areas, both national authorities and 51 FROM THE FIELD Pakistan:

Hanna Mollan was From one emergency to another seconded to UNICEF Pakistan from April to and child labour are common. The bartering of children – I was assigned to UNICEF to assist the agency and its December 2011 as a child especially girls – is regularly sanctioned by unlawful local local partners in monitoring and reporting on activities in protection specialist, working in flood-affected areas tribal councils as a means of settling conflicts between return areas, and to help develop early recovery projects in Sindh province. families and clans, and “honour killings”, sexual assaults that were scheduled to start in August. DRR and contin- and other serious crimes are committed with impunity. gency planning in preparation for future natural disasters were also a top priority. The aim was to wind up all emer- When the Indus river was swollen by monsoon rains in gency programmes by the end of July, exactly a year after July 2010, breaking its banks along much of its course and the onset of the floods. overflowing into villages and fields, the resulting destruction and displacement aggravated all the risks and hazards that Security situation undermine the basic rights of women and children in Sindh. The floods had affected the entire province of Sindh, and The emergency also provided the government, national and UNICEF had established two emergency hubs, one in Hy- international organisations with unprecedented resources derabad in the south and the other in Sukkur in the north. and opportunities to improve living conditions in some of Both were managed from the agency’s Sindh field office in Pakistan’s most marginalised rural areas. Karachi.

Southern Sindh at the end of the 2010 My duty station was Hyderabad. Six days into the mission, emergency however, and after only a single field trip to an implement- I arrived in southern Sindh in April 2011, at the tail end of ing partner, we awoke to the news that Osama bin Laden the emergency response to the 2010 floods. Nearly 10 had been killed. By midday, international staff were packing months had passed since the start of flooding that had up and piling into cars for the three-hour drive to Karachi, killed nearly 2,000 people and affected 20 million more. relocated as a precaution for fear of a violent backlash. This The Indus was reduced to a dry bed of white sand. The was only the first of many disruptions and delays caused by UNCIEF centre, Badin insecurity and precautionary measures. Photo: Hanna Mollan television images in my head of people stranded on slivers of land, clinging to trees, wading waist-deep in water with their belongings bundled on their heads, dead and bloated We remained on stand-by in Karachi for several weeks, and when the UNICEF emergency hub in Hyderabad closed for To be a woman or child in rural Sindh province, south-eastern Paki- livestock floating by, were replaced by damaged but dry and drivable roads, neatly tilled fields, buffaloes soaking in good in June, I was reassigned to Sukkur. stan, can be difficult at the best of times. After the devastation and muddy pools, camels and donkeys decorated with orange forced displacement caused by the 2010 floods and then by the henna patterns pulling bricks and fruit, crowded markets, Transition to early recovery in northern Sindh 2011 monsoon rains, the threats to their safety, health and wellbeing busy bus stations and children playing on dusty cricket Sukkur lies on the bank of the Indus. The city itself was not are little short of overwhelming. fields. flooded, but the surrounding areas were badly affected. At the height of the emergency there were an estimated 1.6 Sindh province is dotted with crum- and adequate sewage systems or The large relief camps had been closed and the majority million IDPs in northern Sindh. Now, as in the south, the bling forts and palaces, Sufi shrines latrines is rare. of displaced communities had returned, albeit with few relief camps are mostly empty. and significant archaeological sites, assets, decimated livestock and to damaged homes. Many including the largest and most sig- Ironically, Sindh is a wealthy province. landless and illiterate labourers chose not to return to their UNICEF established partnerships with two local devel- nificant urban settlement of the Indus It has significant reserves of oil, natural landlords, but instead to escape their debts and a life in opment NGOs, and all the agency’s sections – health, Valley Civilization, dating back almost gas and coal, and the fertile Indus bondage to take their chances in Karachi, a megacity of at nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, education and child 5,000 years. delta is ideal for large-scale, com- least 20 million people. protection – sought to co-locate their respective services mercial farming of commodities such to provide integrated support in villages where people had Today, as a result of poverty, corrup- as cotton, wheat, sugar cane, rice, A couple of months before I arrived, the government had returned. tion and years of neglect in terms of bananas, mangoes and dates. abruptly declared an end to the emergency, and from one public services such as education and day to the next OCHA was informed that UNDP would take The child protection section supported its partners to health, in some parts of Sindh barely Most people depend on agriculture to over all humanitarian coordination. International emergency establish child-friendly spaces in the form of a tent or 10 per cent of women can read and make a living. Though bonded labour operations were rapidly scaling down, surge-capacity other shelter where children could play. Activities focused write, less than 10 per cent of children is illegal, entire families are forced personnel were moving on to the next emergency, many on raising awareness of health and hygiene issues, and are registered at birth and more than to work for powerful landlords, often to the Horn of Africa, and the UN cluster system made the on how to protect oneself from dangers such as traffic, 30 per cent are chronically malnour- influential politicians, to pay off their transition into early recovery working groups, including one abduction and abuse. Play and sports were supervised ished. Access to clean drinking water ever-increasing debts. Child marriages on child protection chaired by UNICEF. and adapted to boys and girls, and to different age groups. 53 FROM THE FIELD

Monitors observed the children’s be- few hours in the morning, but closed by midday because of haviour and reactions in an effort to de- the intense heat, especially inside the relief tents used as termine who needed special attention playrooms and classrooms. There was no rain, and nothing such as psychosocial counselling or out of the ordinary was forecast. help with a disability, and who should be referred to the health services. At the end of July, the government and humanitarian agencies began publishing emergency relief progress reports, School-age children were automatically and a number of press conferences were organised to referred to a temporary UNICEF school mark a year since the onset of the floods. The microphones or any available alternative. For many and tablecloths at major hotels had barely been cleared of the children affected by the floods away before torrential monsoon rains set in with full force at it was the first time they had ever been the beginning of August. to school, perhaps because there had been no school in their village, because Monsoon emergency 2011 their parents needed them to work or We all had the Powerpoint presentations fresh in mind, the because they feared for their daugh- bullet points of lessons learnt and lists of commitments to ters’ safety and preferred to keep them strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities, fortify A UNICEF temporary learning centre, Umerkot at home. crumbling canals and rebuild the houses and schools that Photo: Åshild Eliassen still lay in ruins. Mobile child protection units in col- sure and allowed a joint needs assessment that would form ourful vans would visit more remote It rained incessantly. The Pakistan Meteorological Depart- the basis of a UN appeal for emergency funding. locations for a day to organise activi- ment reported that Sindh had received 247 per cent of its ties and games. Parents, and mothers average rainfall, the highest level ever recorded. Now it was UNICEF’s early recovery projects were put on hold, and all in particular, were encouraged to form Woman preparing food in a camp in Umerkot district. available funding was channelled south. I was sent back to Photo: Åshild Eliassen not the Indus that burst its banks, but the vast network of child protection committees. Members irrigation and sewage canals, flooding roads, villages and southern Sindh and spent the rest of September and the received training on child protection is- fields. Despite plans and dedicated funds to fortify the ca- first half of October meeting partners in affected districts The paperwork needed to plan a field visit was exten- sues and basic women’s and children’s nals, much of the work had been delayed or abandoned. and in Karachi, writing up new emergency proposals to rights. The committees would meet regularly to identify sive and time consuming to prepare, and trips had to be protect and assist 30,000 women and 220,000 children cancelled every week because police escorts were either problems, discuss how to deal with risks and hazards to Within weeks, the government estimated that more than in six, later eight, of the worst-affected districts. UNICEF’s unavailable, delayed or failed to turn up. When we did get children, and to help identify and report individual cases five million people had been affected, including two million WASH, health and education sections intervened in a cou- escorts the officers were mostly friendly and helpful, but it that required special attention or referral. displaced, the majority of them in southern Sindh. The navy ple of districts in northern Sindh, but the child protection took much effort on our part to convince them that we did was deployed to rescue those stranded and to set up relief section limited its 2011 monsoon response to the south of not expect be treated as VIPs, and did not care much for camps, but, unexpectedly, the government did not invite the the province. The challenges of large-scale response wailing sirens, barging through traffic or their eagerness to UN to conduct an assessment or prepare a response. As The largest integrated UNICEF project in northern Sindh jump out and take up combat positions around the schools the scale of the unfolding disaster became apparent, the covered 700 sites across five districts. Needless to say, and child-friendly spaces we had set up. monitoring and supporting partners was a challenge, not UN repeatedly offered its support but to no avail. only due to the huge number of locations but also because Our partners worked in communities several hours’ drive Northern Sindh was also affected, but only in a few areas of the poor and unpredictable law and order situation. We from Sukkur, and as there were only few guesthouses ap- and less so than the south. In Sukkur, we continued to edit were accompanied by an armed police escort on every proved for an overnight stay, most field visits were day-trips. and put the finishing touches to budgets and log frames field trip. They were usually announced in advance, and tended to for early recovery project proposals that were due to start be quite rushed. I often felt that we never really got to see any day. Meanwhile, our partners had shifted their focus The UN was not considered a target of violence and there a normal day of activities, and that some of the scenes we towards the new disaster and were calling to ask whether was rarely if ever any hostility towards UN personnel. witnessed had been set up more for our benefit than that their hurriedly drafted emergency proposals could be Rather the concern was that we could easily find ourselves of the women and children we aimed to reach. Were staff funded. They could not. As long as UNICEF and other UN in the wrong place at the wrong time, and become tangled present, activities taking place and services offered every agencies had not received express permission from the up in a riot or other disturbance. There were frequent, day and at all the project locations as per the agreements? government to engage, we were instructed not to carry almost daily ad hoc roadblocks - a killing or robbery might We shall probably never know. prompt the aggrieved family to erect a barricade of burn- out any assessment or to conduct any field trips to flooding tyres - and riots as people protested against the lack of stricken areas that might be construed as an assessment, electricity, a corrupt official or an arrest. It was not unusual A year since the onset of the 2010 floods so as not to risk being seen as ignoring the government’s The south-west monsoon season usually runs from June for us to have to cancel visits or to be stuck at a roadblock instructions. Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Badin. for hours, waiting for a police chief or a local politician to to September, but it rarely rains in Sindh even during this Photo: Hanna Mollan come and address the crowd and coax or force them to time. As June turned into July, temperatures rose as high The government finally yields as 45 degrees and it became trying to travel. The child- clear the road. In mid-September, almost six weeks after the start of rains, friendly spaces and temporary schools were open for a the government finally ceded to internal and external pres- 55 FROM THE FIELD

New emergency, new challenges, new ideas child protection and working on sensitive issues such as their crops. While driving around the flood-affected areas, In this second flood emergency, a notable difference was GBV. We invest much time and effort in training our new we have seen children wading waist-deep in water picking that displaced villagers were not as willing to move into partners’ management and project coordinators but it cotton. relief camps. Instead, entire communities camped along takes some time before the knowledge and skills trickle roadsides. For kilometres roads were lined with improvised down to staff in the field. The majority of those who remain displaced are landless shelters, tents, firewood and livestock. People preferred to migrant workers who have nowhere to go. As happened in stay as close as possible to their homes, where they could UNICEF also expects a lot from its partners. An average 2010, many may opt to move to cities such as Karachi and keep an eye on their assets and find grass and water for emergency project in the 2011 monsoon response, for look for work there. their buffalo and goats. Some also reported that they found example, required the setting up of 50 PLaCES in at least it very uncomfortable to live in close proximity to strangers two districts, meaning that the partner has to hire and brief As part of the cluster approach, there was a housing land and families from other tribes. People on the roadside were or train more than 300 new staff, manage five or six vehi- and property rights sub-thematic group, under the protec- relatively easy to assist, but relief agencies found it difficult cles and reach as many as 50,000 women and children. tion group chaired by UN-HABITAT and the national disas- to locate and reach those who had taken refuge elsewhere. All of this is expected to be in place within three months, ter management authority. Land rights remain a contentious UNICEF COMMITMENTS With fewer large camps, and many small groups of IDPs though so far most partners are between one and two issue, however, and it is difficult to push for change at this spread far and wide, the delivery of life-saving assistance months behind with implementation. level. Land rights and reform are not high on the humanitar- became very challenging. ian agenda in Pakistan, if they are there at all. In responding to emergencies The PLaCES that are up and running seem to be working worldwide, UNICEF and its Through its partners, UNICEF’s child protection section is well. Attendances are high, the children enthusiastic and Key challenges partners are guided by the core commitments for children in testing a new concept. It is setting up more than 500 inte- the women who are allowed by the male members of their There is very little awareness of children’s rights, and • humanitarian action, a framework grated centres for women and children called Protective family to come say they appreciate a private space in which some authorities ignore their obligations with no con- for the assistance and protection Learning and Community Emergency Services (PLaCES). to discuss matters of concern to them and their children. sequences. There is a lack of acknowledgement that that is consistent with interna- These centres are co-located with temporary schools and/ Some partners have started adult literacy classes and violations of children’s rights - such as child labour, child tional human rights law. In its or nutrition and health facilities. vocational skills training such as sewing, and these have marriages, girls not going to school - actually constitute response to both the 2010 and proved very popular activities. Basic GBV training has also violations at all, and they are so commonplace that no one 2011 floods, UNICEF focused In preparing the child protection response to the 2011 mon- been organised for partners’ staff, but very few cases have intervenes. There is a long way to go to build a common particularly on the following soon emergency, two key lessons emerged from an internal been reported so far from PLaCES. Partners say they need understanding of basic standards to protect children commitments: review the activities of the previous year and these were more time to develop relationships of trust with the women • Large-scale responses to emergencies make it difficult to taken into consideration in the development of PLaCES: and girls before they will confide in them and ask for help, monitor and assure the quality of partners and the • To strengthen key child pro- counselling or referral to medical and legal services. services they offer tection mechanisms in emergen- • A need for organised activities for adolescents, It is difficult to access communities in need because of • cy-affected areas involving them in helping their community, making The situation today insecurity, the need for escorts and the fact that many them feel valued and reducing depression, frustration Now, in early December, the focus is mainly on return areas people living in remote areas still affected by flooding • To prevent and address the and boredom and the need to prepare for winter by rebuilding shelters Populations are on the move. We have set up PLaCES • separation of children from • A need for more attention and services to prevent and distributing blankets and warm clothing. Sindh’s in one area, then a few days later the community moves families, and promote family- and respond to GBV climate is extreme, and the same areas that experience closer to home or to a town or market, meaning the part- based care temperatures of up to 45 degrees in summer will soon see ner has to move with them Adolescent girls in particular were not drawn to the child- them drop close to freezing. The existence of pre-flood development challenges and a • • To prevent and address vio- friendly spaces. It was also difficult for them to get permis- lack of baseline data lence, exploitation and abuse of sion to leave their camps, shelters or homes and come to a In many areas the floodwaters have receded and people Local authorities are weak or absent, and they lack the • children and women, including place where male staff might be working. have been able to return home. In some of the worst-affect- staff and vehicles to move around flooded areas to take GBV ed districts though, such as Badin, Sanghar and Umerkot, part in assessments or response The central idea of PLaCES is to promote the active there are still large lakes of stagnant water that are expect- There is corruption among authorities and partners. Fic- • • To provide psychosocial involvement of women in identifying and reducing threats ed to take another two to three months to dry up. tional staff and project locations, and false reporting on support to children and their and risks - both to themselves and their children - in an results and beneficiaries are difficult to monitor caregivers emergency, and to deliver various emergency services in Pakistan does not have a national policy for the protection • Implementing partners take on huge projects. UNCIEF one location to improve access to assistance and increase of IDPs and the government has avoided the term, prefer- assesses all partners, but even those that are approved safety. ring to use the term “affectees”. During the monsoon emer- sometimes lack the sound management to implement the gency, UNCHR and other agencies advocated minimum projects on time or according to the standards and activi- Working with new partners standards for IDPs’ assistance and protection based on ties agreed. Hopefully, our support will lead to improved The districts of southern Sindh we had worked in during the Guiding Principles, but these were not accepted by the capacity in the long run 2010 and early 2011 were not among the worst-affected by government. • Donor fatigue and “competition” from other disasters the monsoon emergency. We were able to rely on some of elsewhere in the world means it was difficult to fundraise our existing partners, but we also had to take on new ones. Forced returns have been reported, in which landlords for the 2011 monsoon emergency response. Donors are This is a considerable challenge, because local develop- come to collect “their” workforce and coerce men, women also sceptical about the Pakistani government’s capacity ment NGOs are not particularly familiar with human rights, and children to wade into the fields to salvage the last of and will to manage emergency funds 57 FROM THE FIELD Progress

Aasmund Løk has been seconded to UNICEF as in south sudan a child protection officer in cusing on this issue, the child protec- South Sudan since June UNICEF in South Sudan tion cluster has developed standard 2011. UNICEF South Sudan works to support the Republic of South Sudan in operating procedures and established securing the rights of all children to an information management system survival, development, protection and for them. Part of the work has been participation, and to ensure better ac- to strengthen the child protection countability for children. capacity of government partners on family tracing and reunification through The child protection programme fo- training and the establishment of focal cuses on three main areas: points at state level. The number of • Strengthening the protective en- children without proper care or liv- vironment for children through the ing in the streets has also increased One of the most development of child protection dramatically since returns began, a important issues the policies, legislative frameworks, fact that led to the establishment of systems and capacities in line with another working group. The fact that cluster has to deal the Convention on the Rights of the children continue to be separated from with in South Sudan Child (CRC) and other international their families makes the coordination of efforts imperative to respond to is separated and human rights standards • Ensuring that children affected by those affected. “unaccompanied armed conflict and other emergen- children. cies, HIV/Aids, violence, abuse, Children affected by armed exploitation and those without conflict appropriate care have access to Displaced and refugee children in Yida The UN secretary general’s 2005 following Sudenese military offensives in quality and equitable child protection report on children and armed conflict September. Photo: Aasmund Løk services identified SPLA, along with the South • Ensuring that the Ministry of Gen- Sudan Unity Movement (SSUM), the der, Children and Social Welfare In 2005, after months of intense negotiations, Africa’s longest civil Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), the Jus- (MoGCSW), state ministries for tice and Equality Movement (JEM) and war came to an end when the main parties to the conflict - the Sudan social development (MoSDs) and Janjaweed as groups that recruit and People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the National Congress Party communities have stronger child use children in armed conflict. SSUM (NCP) - signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). As the protection systems and functional joined SPLA in 2006. With the listing CPA stipulated, South Sudan held a referendum on secession on 9 coordination mechanisms. of these parties, the UN is mandated January 2011, in which 99 per cent of those who took part voted in to set up a mechanism for monitor- favour. South Sudan became world’s newest country on 9 July 2011. Coordination mechanisms ing and reporting such violations to The child protection sub-cluster was the UN Security Council’s working Since independence, the border areas by the Sudanese air force inside established in Juba in October 2010 group on children and armed conflict. between Sudan and South Sudan South Sudan, forcing thousands of as part of the protection cluster. The intention is to put an end to child have seen numerous outbreaks of people to flee and breaking up families UNICEF co-leads the cluster with recruitment and other grave violations conflict that have forced more people in the process. Save the Children, and MoGCSW by engaging and maintaining dialogue to flee their homes. Armed groups chairs the meetings. During the 12 with the parties and developing action continue to destabilise some areas, More than 300,000 people returned months the cluster has been in opera- plans. SPLA and the Lord’s Resist- particularly the Unity and Upper Nile to South Sudan in 2010 and 2011, but tion, child protection working groups ance Army (LRA) are the only groups states, making the provision of hu- they face challenges in accessing land have been established in all ten active in South Sudan officially listed, manitarian assistance to the affected and re-establishing their livelihoods states, co-chaired by UNICEF and the but others known to violate children’s population extremely challenging. The in their new country, which suffers MoSDs. rights are also monitored and reported rebel groups are allegedly supported from a chronic lack of infrastructure on. by the Sudanese armed forces as a and services. With the unstable and One of the most important issues the part of Khartoum’s strategy to gain unpredictable security situation across cluster has to deal is separated and Monitoring and reporting is a UN control of oil-rich areas. There have the country, children remain extremely unaccompanied children. With the responsibility, and UNICEF has taken also been confirmed aerial attacks vulnerable. establishment of a working group fo- 59 Demobilisation process of an armed group in 2011. The boy in the picture was disarmed and has now been reunited with his family. UNICEF is supporting his reintegration into civilian life.

the lead in training partners to carry out the task on child rights in the context of armed conflict in South Sudan. The agency also currently manages the monitoring and reporting database and compiles regular reports and analysis of violations against children.

Between January and October 2011, 1,968 children (1,152 boys, 224 girls and 592 unknown) were reported as affected by armed conflict in 200 registered incidents. Sixty-eight per cent of the incidents and 45 per cent of the children affected were verified, which indicates that there is still a need to improve the mechanism to ensure timely, accurate and objective reporting. Some 10,000 children have also been affected by school occupations by security forces or armed groups.

In November 2009, the UN signed a 12-month action plan with SPLA to release all children from their forces. During Challenges the implementation period, 210 children were released. Development in Juba is fast-paced, while other areas of SPLA has received support from UNICEF and Save the the vast country are lagging behind. The considerable Children to establish and train child protection units at HQ presence of international organisations and entrepreneurs and division levels. SPLA acknowledged that the action provides work opportunities in the capital, but has also plan needed to be extended, and they requested that activi- contributed to exorbitant prices, making it very hard for the ties continue while waiting for an official extension. During average South Sudanese family to make ends meet. This in 2011 the group released another 124 children. A further 93 turn contributes to drop-out rates from school and the use children were released from three other armed groups who of child labour. UNICEF’s presence provides opportuni- had agreed to integrate into SPLA as part of the peace ties and assistance for some, but not everyone. As long as negotiations. By the end of November 2011, the UN had financial resources are concentrated in Juba, development revised the action plan with SPLA and agreed on activities fected by LRA. Ugandan soldiers have been operating in will remain slower in other areas. that need to continue. South Sudan for years, helping in the fight against a group that has abducted children across four countries for almost Decades of conflict have changed people’s behaviour and Significant progress has been made in releasing children three decades. Standard operating procedures have been aspirations. Families have been torn apart and children from the armed forces and groups. The release and reinte- developed to ensure that rescued and escaped children have become accustomed to seeing disputes resolved with gration process has been reviewed and the South Sudan receive help when returning to their communities, and violence. The sheer diversity of the population and a new Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) UNICEF is strongly involved in the process. border that challenges the traditional movement of pastoral Commission has developed a new DDR strategy in close tribes create a complex set of challenges that the nascent collaboration with UNICEF and other relevant UN organisa- country will have to grapple with in the years ahead. tions and government ministries. The aim now is to secure Tribal conflicts the government’s commitment to the process. Tribal conflicts are pervasive in South Sudan, and the hostilities affect hundreds of families every year. In 2011, 544 The commission coordinates the DDR process, UNICEF children were reportedly abducted, 95 per cent of them in provides financial and technical support, and the agency’s Jonglei state. Abductions are often motivated by financial implementing partners focus on helping the former child gain, and given the high dowries for women in some areas, combatants to manage their reintegration into civil society. girls are the preferred targets. Children are also abducted It is important to underline that in the process of reintegra- for other reasons, such as increasing the number of men in tion, UNICEF also focuses on other vulnerable children to a community or providing care for the elderly. Whatever the ensure they are supported in the same process. Broader rationale, children in some communities remain extremely social and economic reintegration remains a challenge be- vulnerable to abduction. cause of a lack of opportunities in remote communities. A stronger financial and technical commitment from national UNICEF and the child protection sub-cluster, together with authorities is crucial to improving livelihood opportunities other relevant organisations, try to bring tribes together and access to education. to discuss conflict resolution and mediation. In November 2011, a workshop was held in Jonglei which yielded posi- Progress has also been made in the cooperation between tive results in the effort to establish a process to make the Uganda, South Sudan, DRC and CAR – the countries af- state a safer place for children. FROM THE FIELD improving food security capture on 11 April 2011. By that time, Camps and ‘stranger fathers’ more than 200,000 Ivorians had fled From the beginning of the crisis, the to neighbouring countries, and more international community provided ba- Lisbeth Albinus was than a million people were internally seconded to FAO’s emer- in west africa sic services to refugees in camps and gency and rehabilitation displaced. Entire villages were burned host communities. Flooding of roads unit as a reporting officer down and many people lost friends or and bridges during the five-month in Ivory Coast and Liberia, family members. Houses and farms rainy season between June and Octo- from February to Decem- were looted and mercenaries ravaged ber, however, made host communities ber 2011. areas of Abidjan and the west of the along the border all but inaccessible. country. Refugees were strongly encouraged to move to camps or designated vil- The security situation has improved lages to ensure that they had access substantially since the formal inaugu- to basic services. Still, the majority ration of Ouattara in May, but ethnic chose to stay close to the border and tensions and sporadic violence still depend on the continued support At the time of writing, prevail. At the time of writing, more of their hosts – referred to locally as than 130,000 refugees are still reg- “stranger fathers”. more than 130,000 istered in Liberia, while an estimated refugees are still 300,000 remain internally displaced. Staying close to the border allows registered in Liberia, refugees easy access to information. Refugees in Liberia While some take the risk of return- while an estimated The vast majority of Ivorian refugees ing to their villages to check on their “300,000 remain inter- fled to neighbouring Liberia. Some houses or farmland, others depend sought refuge in camps or designated on news provided by recently arrived nally displaced. villages, but the majority preferred to refugees or received via Ivorian mobile stay with host families, mostly ethnic phone and radio networks. Living in kin, close to the border. host communities also provides refugees with the opportunity to engage Liberia is itself still recovering from 14 in livelihood activities and so maintain Lisbeth Albinus in the field. years of civil war that ended in 2003. a degree of normality during their Throughout this dark period of the displacement. Many work as day- country’s history, many Liberians set- labourers on local farms. It was hoped that presidential elections in November 2010 would tled along ethnic lines on the Ivorian reunite Ivory Coast, a country that had in effect been split in two side of the border. Hosting Ivorian ref- Ivorian refugees in Liberia still express concern about the security situation at since the 2001 civil war. Instead, the disputed result reignited the ugees and sharing the family’s scarce food stock is therefore considered a home and the failure to disarm rebel conflict. Five months of violence forced thousands of people to flee, way of returning a favour. That said, groups. Nevertheless, an increasing severely affecting food security both in Ivory Coast and in neighbour- some Liberians also considered this number seem to be returning. The ing countries. an opportunity to attract international Ivorian government launched compre- attention and aid to their impoverished hensive campaigns on both sides of I was seconded to FAO Ivory Coast electoral commission proclaimed and highly food insecure communities. the border to encourage them to do at the beginning of February 2011 to Alassane Ouattara the winner of so before parliamentary elections in support coordination and informa- November’s presidential election The first group of refugees to arrive December 2011. tion sharing in the countries affected run-off, and the result was endorsed in Liberia belonged to the Gio tribe, by the population movement. As the by international observers. Incumbent which is considered pro-Ouattara. Food security implications security situation deteriorated, I had Laurent Gbagbo, however, refused They settled with fellow Gios in Nimba Forced to leave their homes overnight, to leave for neighbouring Liberia and either to recognise the result or to county. As the conflict intensified, many Ivorians left their paddy fields support the organisation’s activities hand over power, insisting that there more and more members of the Krahn behind and missed the essential an- from there. FAO’s emergency re- had been electoral fraud. Both sides tribe crossed the border. The Krahn nual rice harvest in 2010. The sub- sponse aimed to mitigate the impact celebrated victory and once again the tribe is considered pro-Gbagbo and sequent looting of farms, land tenure of the crisis on an already precarious public found themselves hostage to a they sought refuge with other Krahns disputes made worse by the conflict food security situation in the region. politically motivated conflict. in Grand Gedeh and Maryland coun- and the lack of manual labour due to ties, exporting with them the ethnic displacement represent major chal- Five months of increasingly violent Photo: Lisbeth Albinus Fighting for the presidency tensions that fuelled the conflict in lenges to returnees. The 2011 harvest clashes culminated in Gbagbo’s In December 2010, the national Ivory Coast. was expected to be nearly 40 per cent 63 Mary lives in the Dulay village, close to the Ivorian FROM THE FIELD border. She has been hosting refugees since the onset of the crisis in December 2010. Photo: Lisbeth Albinus.

lower than normal in the worst-affected areas, severely elections and accusing the electoral commission of fraud. compromising long-term food security. Observers also worry that upcoming parliamentary elections in the neighbouring fragile democracies of Guinea Refugees in Liberia have largely depended on the generos- and Sierra Leone could trigger further population move- ity of their hosts. The extra burden on resources led host ments in the region. communities to deplete their food stocks earlier than normal, a situation directly reflected in malnutrition rates. A re- Agricultural emergency response aims at improving resil- cent Action Against Hunger report shows that severe acute ience and enabling individuals and families to regain control malnutrition has increased from 0 to 2.3 per cent in com- over their own lives and livelihoods in an extremely difficult munities hosting refugees in Nimba county. FAO received situation. Despite concerted efforts to maintain peace and several reports that farmers were consuming rice seeds to build trust in the region’s aspiring democracies, challenges cope with the protracted the period of routine food scarcity remain and much still needs to be done to support local between harvests known as the lean season. populations in their quest for a prosperous future for themselves and the next generations. As a NORCAP secondee Agricultural emergency response to FAO in Ivory Coast and Liberia, I have been able to The majority of both refugees and host families are subsist- contribute to that process. ence farmers, making them highly vulnerable to shocks such as sudden onset and large-scale population movements. A comprehensive and well-coordinated food security response to the post-election crisis on both sides of the border was considered paramount in mitigating the long-term impact on food security.

In Ivory Coast, FAO and its partners have supported 35,150 households, or 175,750 individuals. Some of these households are families that have returned to their farms after a period of internal or external displacement, while others are vulnerable families from areas affected by the crisis. Agricultural support consists of rice or vegetable seeds, tools, fertilisers and training.

On the Liberian side of the border, 31,200 households received help with rice, cassava and vegetable production. Bahn refugee camp, Liberia. Photo: Lisbeth Albinus Unlike other types of humanitarian support, the majority of agricultural assistance was targeted towards host communities. Some refugees who have been allocated land have also received support. This group constitutes about 30 per cent of beneficiaries. To avoid the further consumption of rice seeds, WFP provided “seed protection” in the form of two months of food support.

Ivorians and Liberians affected by the post-election crisis are currently harvesting their paddy fields. In Liberia, it is expected that the harvest will provide up to to five months’ food security for each family. Tools and vegetable seeds are now being distributed to help with the upcoming vegetable growing season.

Preparing for a protracted crisis Considering the volatile political climate in Ivory Coast, humanitarian partners are preparing for a potentially pro- Eva and her family of five have been hosting 12 refugees tracted refugee crisis in Liberia. Meanwhile, Liberia is strug- since the onset of the Ivorian crisis in December 2010. She gling to navigate its own domestic challenges, with the is now receiving food production support from FAO. opposition party withdrawing from the presidential run-off Photo: Lisbeth Albinus FROM THE FIELD

A series of ceasefire agreements have been signed and Mindanao affected by the conflict. The clans’ primary “law monitoring in mindanao broken since 1996. A sharp fall in the number violations be- enforcement” bodies are private militias, and MILF fighters came apparent in 2004, however, with the introduction of frequently double as militia members. As MILF fighters they Bror Gevelt was seconded the International Monitoring Team (IMT). The Organisation are subject to IMT scrutiny, while as militia members they to the International Moni- toring Team in Mindanao, of the Islamic Conference (OIC) initiated the IMT, manned are subject to pursuit by regular law enforcement agen- Philippines. His account it with personnel from Malaysia, Brunei and Libya, and man- cies. The lack of transparency in MILF ranks and fighters’ was written in November dated it to monitor the security situation on the ground. membership of private militias makes it hard at times to 2011, before the outbreak distinguish whether or not a given dispute is relevant to the of renewed hostilities in IMT’s Role IMT mandate. December. IMT’s arrival created a environment more conducive to talks as ceasefire violations became less frequent. In 2008, the Despite shortcomings and the 2008 rejection of the agreed Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation memorandum on Bangsamoro autonomy, talks between Moment (MILF) agreed the Memorandum of Agreement on the two parties continue with varying degrees of enthusi- Ancestral Domain. A final draft was passed to the Supreme asm. The fragile cessation of hostilities is holding, and IMT Court for scrutiny before signing, but the court rejected it should be credited for this state of affairs. Whether it is as unconstitutional. The conflict reignited and IMT withdrew sustainable in the long term remains to be seen, but MILF from the region. shows signs of undertaking the difficult task of transform- ing itself from a rebel group into a credible political force. Another agreement on cessation of hostilities was signed in 2009 and IMT returned with more contributing nations and a broader mandate. In 2010 a reasonable security environment was re-established with IMT in a more visible role. Not only was the team enhanced with personnel from Norway, the EU and Japan, but it was also mandated to monitor the humanitarian situation and civilian protection. IMT’s four areas of focus are security, humanitarian rehabilitation and development, socio-economic assistance and civil protection. The security component is the largest, accounting for 36 of IMT’s 43 members. Two personnel from Norway work Bror Gevelt in the field, Mindanao in this area. Philippines Both Norwegians have broad international experience, Could an end to decades of armed conflict in Mindanao be seen including participation in peace processes in Aceh, Nepal, in the not too distant future, or was this just another illusion of a Afghanistan and South Sudan. The IMT mission in Mindan- dreamland for the Bangsamoro people? There are many questions to ao, however, is very different. Most missions are based on an implementation programme framed by a signed compre- be asked about the fate of this southern outpost of the Philippines hensive peace agreement with a defined “end state” and but, sadly, clear answers are hard to come by. several obligatory and deadlined benchmarks.

The Bangsamoro people, who are overcrowded, mainly Christian north to In contrast, IMT is mandated to monitor a cessation of estimated to be some 4.5 million in resettle in the less crowded southern hostilities agreement, which in principle could be indefinite. number, live mainly in western Mind- island of Mindanao. There are also arguments for strengthening its mandate anao . The “Moros” do not constitute and its tools and resources to monitor and make inquiries an ethnically homogeneous group, but In many cases, the migrants settled into alleged violations. The main tasks of the two Norwe- lay claim to a shared Islamic culture. on land to which the Moros claimed gian representatives are to coordinate the work of the IMT Past colonists either ignored them ownership, setting a classic scene for components, talking to the parties at the highest technical or indifferently accepted a degree of armed conflict. Although it would be level, and to build monitoring and reporting capacity in the Moro autonomy. After independence in easy to frame the conflict as religiously four field teams. 1946, however, successive Philippine motivated, it is essentially about land. governments were faced with rapid Over the past 60 years hundreds of population growth on the northern thousands of people have been affect- Challenges islands of Luzon and Visayas. As ed by skirmishes between the various The Moros’ clan structure and internal justice are among access to land for cultivation became Moro rebel groups and the Philippine the factors that complicate monitoring. Land disputes, increasingly restricted, the government armed forces. political rivalry and insults to honour fuel family feuds or encouraged people from the ridos which are frequently perpetuated from one genera- tion to the next. Numerous ridos are ongoing in the areas of 67 FROM THE FIELD the libya crisis seen a Cairo suburb, far away from Libya. OCHA’s role was to identify overlaps Due to very tight security restrictions between the various organisations for UN personnel at the time, only and any miscalculation of needs and Cecilie Gulbraar Orestis two OCHA personnel were allowed numbers in the draft appeal. We were was seconded to OCHA from cairo inside the country, and then only in the ultimately only able to make relatively as a humanitarian affairs officer in the wake of the eastern part. The fact that we were not cosmetic changes to the document, Libya crisis, and worked able to actively coordinate the situa- one result being that there was no at the agency’s office in tion from inside the country seriously NGO participation in most projects. Cairo from April to July undermined our ability to do our job The drafting of the appeal as a whole 2011 properly. may have had its drawbacks and limitations, but some these were inherent challenges in coordination in the fact that a process which might Six clusters - food and food security, normally be expected to take several health, protection, non-food items, months was finished in 10 days. telecommunication and logistics - had been officially rolled out in early April resources and access 2011, but many were not operational OCHA and most of the other UN My experiences with inside Libya. As a result, we had to organisations were manned by secon- the Libya crisis and try to conduct regular inter–cluster dees during the critical initial phase of similar emergencies meetings between Cairo, Benghazi relief operations, with other staff being and Zarzis in Tunisia. By mid-May, provided through surge capacity. is that things begin most of our NGO partners had moved The lack of institutional memory and to unravel from the to Benghazi, but the security restric- staff retention were challenging when tions kept most of the UN staff and it came to trying to set up enduring “start because agen- the cluster coordinators in Cairo. The mechanisms, including coordination. cies do not dedicate OCHA team moved to Tunisia in an at- This left ground for mistakes to be enough resources tempt to be closer to Tripoli, but in the repeated and lessons from previous process put themselves further away emergencies to go unlearned in a con- to coordination from eastern Libya and the humanitar- text where time was extremely short. The Egyptian-Libyan border crossing ian operations taking place there. Photo: Bendik Sørvig mechanisms. My experiences with the Libya cri- One of my main tasks was to coordi- sis and similar emergencies is that I began my work as a humanitarian affairs officer shortly after the nate an update of the flash appeal that things begin to unravel from the start UN resolution on a no-fly zone agreement was passed and NATO had been launched in March. The first because agencies do not dedicate appeal had been drafted and launched enough resources to coordination launched its bombardment of Gaddafi’s troops as they attempted to in Vienna without any real contribution mechanisms, and can neglect their advance on Benghazi, the eastern capital of Libya and stronghold of from the field. Our job was to make responsibilities as cluster leaders. A the anti-regime forces. the new update more fact-based and functioning cluster system is certainly in tune with the various anticipated no panacea in the early stages of an The situation in Libya, such as its rela- ern Nafusa mountains were cut off scenarios. emergency, but the checks and bal- tive wealth, made it different from that from the outside world and had only ances it contains can to some degree of many other catastrophes. Except for limited access to essential resources From the outset one of the chal- prevent blunders and miscalculations. those in Misrata, few civilians living in such as medical supplies, food and lenges was that there were no reliable eastern Libya were directly affected by water. A major concern among aid baseline information to work from. For The UN Department of Safety and Se- the conflict. Life in Benghazi remained organisations was that this could have instance, IOM did not know how many curity’s evaluation scheme should also relatively peacefully once the National a disproportionally adverse impact third country nationals and migrant be reviewed after the Libya crisis. UN Transitional Council set up an interim on populations unused to adapting to workers lived inside Libya prior to the agencies received the bulk of the fund- government in the city. crises. conflict. Neither was there much ac- ing they requested, but were unable curate information on the populations to deploy staff inside of the country. The hostilities did, however, lead to a My job was to work with the UN agen- of each of the towns and cities under At the same time, a large number of large number of third country nationals cies and international NGOs to coordi- attack. The lack of solid data made NGOs that were present and able being stranded either inside Libya or nate our response efforts and plan for it difficult to estimate the number of to provide critical services did not in refugee camps on the Tunisian and the worst-case scenario. At the start people in need and the size of target receive adequate funding. Egyptian borders. Large parts of the of my secondment, the OCHA team Photo: Bendik Sørvig groups. population in Misrata and the west- was based in two small hotel rooms in 69 FROM THE FIELD Yemen - from political

Linda Kjosaas was seonded to Yemen from unrest to developing crisis March to July 2011 as all schools two months early and hold children, and to take on board UN re- an emergency education exams at the beginning of May instead quests regarding information gathering, specialist. the end of June. proposals and mid-year reviews. When the fighting in the capital affected the An accelerating crisis ministry directly it ceased to function I was working in two capacities at the sporadically, a situation made worse time, as emergency education special- when the area around the building was ist and education cluster coordinator. occupied by the Hashid tribe and later The latter gradually consumed more encircled and bombarded by the army. I arrived at the begin- of my time as we attempted to avoid As the government weakened nation- ning of a phase of a possible crisis by liaising with our wide, UNICEF’s main partner lost the government partners. We suggested ability to ensure full implementation of important changes that closing the schools would lead programmes. Efforts to find alterna- within UNICEF Yemen, children to take to the streets where tive approaches among local partners they could be exposed to violence, were compromised in a situation where and had the opportu- and that potentially denying students NGOs both local and international “nity to take part in the the chance to finish their exams could were treated in some quarters with challenging process have a negative effect on retention reticence and suspicion. rates and increase the drop-out rate. It of changing focus became clear that cluster coordination I arrived at the beginning of a phase from regular develop- demanded a full-time employee, as did of important changes within UNICEF information management if the cluster Yemen, and had the opportunity to ments programmes to were to have much needed field data. take part in the challenging process The capital of Sana’a emergency response. As it was, analyses were largely based of changing focus from regular devel- Photo: Sveinung Kiplesund on dated assessments and field narra- opments programmes to emergency tives. response.

After six months of civil unrest and violence, Yemen found itself on By the end of May the fighting had When I left, I believe the section had reached the capital of Sana’a and inter- become more consolidated and the the verge of a deep political and economic crisis that would have national organisations were evacuated, separation of regular and emergency severe consequences for more than half the population. leaving only overworked local staff programmes was replaced by a unified behind. It was a challenge from the effort to respond to the situation before Fighting in the southern governorate There was little baseline information outset to get the ministry to acknowl- us. of Abyan caused at least 60,000 new available for the education sector and edge the gravity of the situation for displacements in the summer of 2011. it was not easy to gather more through An IDP Camp in north Yemen. Most of the IDPs fled to the nearby official channels. The information that Photo: Sveinung Kiplesund city of Aden, where many found shelter was available was worrying, indicat- in schools. The fighting and displace- ing high illiteracy rates - 64 per cent ment adversely affected the wellbeing for women - and a negative attitude to of children. Since the spring more girls’ education. As the crisis unfolded, than 1,000 cholera cases have been reliable information became even more registered in the south of the country. difficult to come by, and schools be- Malnutrition rates are high, one with came political arenas for the govern- in three families suffer food insecurity, ment and opposition alike. Disgruntled water supplies are polluted or non- teachers, who had not been paid a existent and much of the population salary increase promised some years has no access to basic services such before, were among the first to join the as health and education. youth demonstrations. Many schools had to close, and some were even When I arrived in Yemen in mid-April, forcibly shut down by striking teach- the crisis was already developing. ers. The government decided to close 71 FROM THE FIELD managing hazards FAO in the Caribbean In 2001 the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) adopted a • Enhancing the capacities and resilience to natural disasters of rural communities with agriculture-based livelihoods. Javier Escobedo is strategy and results framework for comprehensive disaster seconded as a roaming in the caribbean management (CDM) in the region. CDM was not, however, agriculture and disaster fully incorporated into the agriculture sector. In 2007, a re- In line with this approach there is an ongoing project risk management (DRM) vised programme framework for an enhanced approach to funded by Belgium Development Cooperation which expert in the Caribbean. CDM in the Caribbean from 2007 to 2012 was presented, started in October 2011 in the Dominican Republic, Haiti which incorporates DRM into key sectors of national econ- and Jamaica. It is expected that small-scale farmers and All photos: Javier omies such as tourism, health, agriculture and nutrition.7 local partners will be better prepared with innovative dis- Escobedo aster preparedness measures and good agricultural DRR Over the past ten years, FAO has responded to numer- practices. ous hurricane-related disasters that affected small-scale farmers and their livelihoods in the region. The inputs and assistance given helped them to recover their production and food security in the short term.

The intensity of the devastating hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 underlined the need for a more permanent scheme to prepare communities. With this in mind, FAO initiated a regional project to support the governments of Cuba, Gre- nada, Haiti and Jamaica in 2005. The aim was to strengthen the capacities of agricultural line agencies on DRM and initiate community-based risk reduction activities in selected pilot areas. The project approach and good practice options for enhanced hazard risk resilience proved very useful in launching local DRM initiatives, which are currently being adopted by several other Caribbean countries including St Lucia, Dominica and Belize. The approach also served as An agroforestry watershed a basis for framing a regional DRM project in the tropical project in Leogane, Haiti. Andes of South America. Between 1900 and 2011, Latin America and the Caribbean were hit Over the past five years, FAO has supported Caribbean by 572 hurricanes and tropical storms. More than 86,000 people were countries in various ways in their efforts to strengthen killed, the lives of 48 million people affected and economic losses of DRM in agriculture and food sector policies and practices, 5 $400 billion incurred. Most of the natural hazards have affected the integrating DRR into sustainable development planning and Caribbean region, and around 50 per cent of the losses have been the implementation of emergency preparedness, response inflicted on the agricultural sector, with serious consequences for the and recovery:8 livelihoods of vulnerable people. • Enhancing capacities for DRR within sector departments In 2005, the international community phases of DRM. It also supports gov- and extension services, for example in the Dominican Mulching of vegetables crops with guinea grass in Jamaica, a adopted the Hyogo Framework for ernments and partners in mainstream- Republic good practice to reduce soil erosion, conserve humidity and incor- Action (HFA), which sets strategic ing DRM into the agriculture and food- porate organic matter. Photograph: J Escobedo 2011 goals and priority areas of action for a sectors, including livestock, forestry • Promoting sustainable natural resource management, for ten-year global programme to sub- and fisheries. Proactive strategies are example on land, water, watershed forestry and agrofor- stantially reduce loss of life and social, essential to reduce risk factors and estry projects in Haiti economic and environmental assets. improve the capacity of vulnerable 5 OFDA/CRED International Disaster- communities to prepare, respond and • Identifying, documenting, adapting and facilitating the Louvain-Belgium As the lead agency on agriculture and recover from disasters. exchange and replication of good agriculture, fishery and food security, FAO gives technical forestry practices for DRR in Jamaica, Grenada, Cuba, 6 FAO’s role in disaster risk reduction. advice on integrating preparedness, FAO’s work in this field contributes Haiti, St Lucia, Dominica and Belize FAO DRM group-Rome. 2009 prevention, mitigation, emergency to HFA. The FAO approach ensures 7 CDM : Strategy and programme that food and agriculture interventions • Providing emergency response and incorporating the framework 2007-2012 response and recovery. The agency are effective, sustainable and people- “build back better” principle in the design and implementa- offers support in the transition from centred.6 tion of post-emergency assistance, for example in Haiti, St 8 Disaster Risk Management in Agriculture. FAO 2009 recovery to development, covering all Lucia, St Vincent and the Dominican Republic 73 FROM THE FIELD promoting drr in

Nicolay Paus was seconded to UNESCO headquar- education ters in Paris, from January The frequency and severity of disasters has increased in recent promote the integration of DRR into global platform, with contributions to November 2011, to school curricula and school safety. from ministers and other high-level work on the agency’s DRR years, creating major humanitarian and development challenges. The strategy. education sector has a significant role to play in addressing these During the second session of the speakers from Japan, Brazil, Pakistan, challenges and in preventing hazards from becoming disasters, a ISDR Global Platform for Disaster China and the World Bank. The event Risk Reduction in 2009, three core addressed the progress made and role best fulfilled through the implementation of DRR in the educa- targets were set for the implementa- main challenges encountered over the tion sector. tion of HFA: last two years, and aimed to consoli- who survived did so because they date support for the safe school agen- Disasters also have a serious im- were at school. Many who died were • The undertaking of national assess- da and its three main components: pact on education systems. Studies out of school when it struck11. Japan ments of existing education facilities Safe school construction suggest that each year, 175 million • has also incorporated DRR into its by 2011 • School disaster policy and children are likely to be affected by school curriculum. This meant that The development and implementa- management climate-related disasters alone9. Some • children and communities as a whole Education and tion of action plans for safer schools • Disaster prevention education and 875 million children live in zones of knew how to act when the disaster by 2015 curriculum development high seismic activity and hundreds of knowledge are key struck. As this and many other exam- • The inclusion of DRR in all school millions more are exposed to regular ples have suggested in recent years, prerequisites for curricula by the same year. To further this important work, UN- flooding, landslides, extreme winds what people know is often more ESCO and UNICEF initiated a two- 10 creating disaster- and fire hazards . Around 17,000 important than what they have when These commitments were reiterated at stage DRR and curricula project, children were killed and an estimated it comes to avoiding or limiting the resilient communities. the chair’s summary at the 2011 global which aims to increase the level of pre- 6,000 primary and secondary schools harmful consequences of hazards. “ platform13 paredness and protection in education damaged or destroyed in the 2005 Education and knowledge are key pre- systems and disaster-prone communi- Pakistan earthquake, and some 8,000 requisites for creating disaster-resilient Inter-agency collaboration ties as a whole. The project includes classrooms were destroyed in the communities. a comprehensive study on the integra- 2008 Sichuan earthquake. on DRR tion of DRR in the school curricula The commitments stated at the 2009 of 29 countries. It will also result in While education systems are greatly International framework global platform laid the foundation for A number of agencies and initiatives the development of guidelines on the affected by disasters, they are also much of the education work in the field have aimed to scale up DRR and issue for policy makers, governments, part of the solution. Quality DRR and of DRR and inspired close collabora- education efforts. The UN Interna- ministries and partner agencies. education can provide life-saving and tion among agencies engaged in it. A tional Strategy for Disaster Reduction life-sustaining information and skills range of international organisations, (ISDR) secretariat was established that protect children and young people civil society representatives, technical UNESCO and DRR to support governments in the imple- during and after emergencies and experts and government representa- UNESCO has increased its engage- mentation of HFA12, a 10-year plan disasters. It can bolster resilience and tives have come together under the ment in DRR in the last few years, adopted by 168 states at the World promote recovery. DRR in education ISDR’s Thematic Platform for Knowl- drawing on its holistic mandate, Conference on Disaster Reduction equips people with knowledge and edge and Education (TPKE) to advo- regular engagement with educa- in Kobe that aims to make the world 9 In the Face of Disaster, Save the Children, skills to ensure the least possible loss cate for and promote the integration tion systems and relationships with safer from natural hazards. One of its UK, 2008 of life from hazards. It is important to of DRR in the education agenda. As policymakers, governments and five priorities for action stresses the 10 One Million Safe Schools and Hospitals keep in mind that disasters are not Assessment and Mitigation Planning for Risk an example, a group of UN agencies ministries. The organisation is un- use of “knowledge, innovation and natural. They are likely to occur when Reduction Guide, p5. http://www.safe- and international NGOs14 engaged dertaking preparedness work, which education to build a culture of safety schools-hospitals.net/en/InformationMateri- societies are unprepared or unable to in TPKE were involved in a baseline includes supporting the integration of and resilience at all levels”. The UN als/Schools.aspx cope with hazards. mapping exercise in early 2011 that DRR concerns into education policies, Decade of Education for Sustainable 11 Dr Agnes Chan. Keynote presentation at the featured event on education and safe assessed existing safe schools initia- plans and programmes conducted by Development 2005–2014 also lists schools at the Global Platform for DRR 2011, tives in 10 countries. education officials at regional, national DRR as a core priority. Geneva. and local levels. The March 2011 earthquake and 12 Priority No. 3 of the Hyogo Framework tsunami in Japan killed as many as for Action emphasises the use knowledge, The study will eventually lead to the From 2005 to 2006, ISDR carried out DRR preparedness work is increas- 25,000 people and caused wide- innovation and education to build a culture of development of a guidance docu- a global campaign on school safety safety and resilience at all levels. ingly linked with efforts to integrate spread devastation, but one should ment for the global risk assessment of with support and contributions from 13 Chair’s summary, 2009 and 2011 global education for sustainable development remember that the impact could have schools. The inter-agency collabora- all its system partners. The initiative, platforms. (ESD), including climate change adap- been worse. Japanese schools and 14 Notably UNICEF, UNESCO, PLAN In- tion under TPKE also took the lead in Disaster Risk Reduction Begins at tation, into teacher education, cur- other buildings are constructed to be ternational, Save the Children, World Vision organising a featured event on educa- School, led to a significant effort to and Institute of Development Studies. riculum development and approaches earthquake-proof and many children tion and safe schools during the 2011 75 At UNICEF temporary learning centre in Umerkot Photo: Åshild Eliassen

within schools and education systems, with the overall aim supported. of encouraging sustainability through education. UNESCO foresees close collaboration with national authorities, civil Resilient communities and sustainable educa- society, private sector organisations and other UN agencies in this area. tion for all DRR education and safe schools help to create disaster resilient communities and the preconditions for long-term Increasing national capacity sustainable education for all. As such, DRR initiatives UNESCO is engaged in DRR activities in a range of coun- should be directed at national, regional and local level, tries and regions, often as an integral part of post-disaster taking structural school safety and the softer components response. The following are examples of some of the efforts of policy development and disaster prevention education the agency has been involved in recent years, with the aim into consideration. There is also a need to identify good of building national, regional and local capacity through the practices on a global level and develop strategies and education system, and creating national ownership of DRR guidelines for vulnerable countries and societies to prepare programmes. for hazards.

Following the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, UNESCO devel- As climate change increasingly affects societies in harmful oped strategies and plans for disaster prevention, pre- ways, it is becoming ever more important for international paredness, mitigation and response within the education agencies to scale up their engagement in humanitarian re- sector. They included the training of teachers in DPR, and sponse. There is a need to acknowledge the importance of the incorporation of DRR issues in national curricula. The an early presence in crises as a means to ensure that relief agency was also involved in the creation of a model institu- efforts can lay the foundation for recovery, reconstruction tion incorporating safe school construction guidelines. and long-term development. In order to address DRR in a substantial way, however, there also needs to be a growing In response to cyclone Nargis, which hit Myanmar in 2008, recognition of, and focus on the issue internationally, and UNESCO’s education recovery programme provided tech- with it increased financing from governments and donors nical assistance to complement the humanitarian efforts alike. of the government and UN system with the objective of enhancing the resilience of the education sector. It aimed to ensure that DRR and emergency preparedness became integral parts of the planning and management of the education system. The agency also sought to promote a culture of safety through a participatory approach which extended to local communities, and to build the capacity of those responsible for education at division and community levels so they could implement and monitor the response, rehabilitation and recovery programme. The organisation was also involved in the delivery of resource packs for township education officers, school headteachers, teachers and an estimated 400,000 students from affected areas.

Following the floods in Namibia in early 2009, UNESCO built on lessons learnt from previous flood responses in the education sector and shared good practices with national authorities and partner organisations. As in Myanmar, the agency adopted a multi-level approach by targeting both government and communities. Workshops were held in an effort to strengthen the national capacity for education in emergency preparedness. DRR school manuals drawing on indigenous knowledge were developed, local journalists were trained in the issue and radio programmes on it were NORCAP MANAGEMENT

This chapter presents information on recruitment, talent management and staff care.

59 NORCAP MANAGEMENT

Talent management Staff care The personal and professional toll of RECRUITMENT NORCAP invests heavily in training its roster members, sending them on various working in conflict and disaster areas courses run by the UN and other humanitarian organisations. The aim is to pro- is widely recognised, and measures vide them with up-to-date and relevant knowledge, and so prepare them better to build up roster members’ resilience NORCAP recruited 123 new roster members in 2011, of whom 40 per cent were Norwegian for future assignments. are crucial to retaining staff. The strain and 39 per cent were from Africa. The remaining 21 per cent per cent were from Asia, the in humanitarian work is sometimes Middle East and the Americas. The overall number of training days in 2011 was 479, up from 375 in 2010. linked to being subjected or witness Eighty-four roster members – 41 women and 43 men - attended 28 courses to traumatic incidents in the field. Overall 58 recruits, or 47 per cent, were women. Among the foreign nationals, the figure or workshops. Fourteen of the women and 24 of the men were from the global Accumulated stress, harsh working south. conditions, security threats, personal was 37 per cent. This was an increase compared with 2010, and exceeded the target for and cultural issues can also take their 2011 of 30 per cent. Efforts to recruit women from the global south will continue in the Three NORCAP induction training sessions were also held. The four-day toll on secondees. Close engagement coming year. courses introduced 71 new recruits to the principles that govern the roster, NRC with staff before, during and after their and the UN. deployment is central to the management of the roster. Recuperation time The following table shows the number of new recruits by region: A talent management system was established in 2011. It consists of the follow- is also crucial. ing components, all of which will be up and running in 2012: Norway Africa Asia Middle East Americas Total NORCAP’s staff care scheme has • A needs assessment system. A newly established competency panel is four components: personal contact Male 19 29 6 9 2 65 responsible for monitoring trends in the humanitarian landscape and assessing between assignments, briefing and Female 30 19 4 3 2 58 their implications for manpower needs preparation before deployment, follow- up in the field and post-assignment Total 49 48 10 12 4 123 • A performance management system. Contact between NORCAP debriefing. The scheme has developed coordinators in Oslo and seconded staff in the field is essential in monitoring over time in close cooperation and dia- the effectiveness of the deployment. Performance evaluation reports written by logue with roster members, who will NORCAP received 2,282 applications through two open-ended advertisements in 2011, and conducted three rounds of secondees’ field supervisors give valuable information about the quality of their also be the main source of information recruitment. The vast majority of applicants, 2,014, were from Africa, Asia and the Middle East, with 268 from Norway.1 work, and the secondees themselves get the chance to give their own evaluation for future improvements. Some candidates also applied to NRC’s other thematic rosters: the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s Gender Stand-by of their assignment during their debriefing Capacity Project (GenCap), the Protection Capacity Stand-by Project (ProCap) and the Assessment Capacities Project NORCAP organised four debriefing (ACAPS). • Personal development tools to ensure approaches are tailored to the seminars in 2011, which were at- individual needs of employees. The new competence plan has a standard tended by 78 roster members. The NORCAP also increased the number of stand-by personnel qualified in the areas of education, child protection, media programme, which gives both introductory training and professional training last seminar was convened as part and communications, food security, ICT, gender, DRR, construction, shelter, urban planning, information management in the areas of expertise mentioned above. The field introduction programme of NORCAP’s 20th anniversary, and and geographic information systems (GIS). Expertise in the areas of cluster coordination, project management, WASH, is designed to give staff their first taste of work as a secondee, and the career was run in the form of a workshop. The reporting, health, community services, monitoring and programme aims to ensure that staff and critical competences are retained on seminars are voluntary, and are offered evaluation were also strengthened. the roster. in addition to the personal debriefings Category of expertise No. of people that takes place immediately after each Administration and finance 1 The above technical areas fall into ten broader categories assignment and optional professional Camp management 7 of expertise. The number of recruits per category is shown The Information Corps debriefings at Centre for Trauma Psy- in the table on the left. chology. They serve as a useful plat- Communication 8 The purpose of the information corps is to disseminate information about the form for sharing experiences, helping Coordination and leadership 14 Around five per cent of the 2011 recruitments were fast- UN and international operations. It consists of former NORCAP secondees who participants learn from each other in tracked to fill specific UN requests, which NORCAP sees terms of debriefing difficult situations Engineering 7 share their experiences from the field with various sectors of Norwegian society as particularly important. through articles, seminars and talks. Twelve articles were published online or in and incidents, adopting new coping Health and nutrition 4 newspapers and magazines in 2011. Nine assignments were undertaken for the mechanisms and increasing personal Information and technology 9 In keeping with the aim of increasing the number of French Red Cross, and 25 talks were delivered at schools and universities. resilience. and Arabic speakers on the roster, 26 per cent of the new Protection 30 recruits speak French and 16 per cent Arabic. Participants were generally pleased Social affairs and livelihoods 35 with the seminars as a forum in which to meet other NORCAP members, and 1 TIPH observers 8 A number of applications among the 2,014 came from European with the effect of sharing experiences countries and were therefore not eligible. European nationals are exceptionally permitted if they are residents of Norway. both in terms of capacity building and Total 123 debriefing difficult situations.

81 Timeline 20 years of secondments

1996 GREAT LAKES 1996-1997 THE FIRST 1998-1999 1989-1996 - FIRST 1998-2003 SECOND 1991 GULF CRISIS 1992 CAMBODIA 1992-1995 UN INTERVENTION 1992-1995 WARS IN 1994 RWANDA IN SOMALIA FORMER YUGOSLAVIA GENOCIDE REFUGEE CRISIS CONGO WAR KOSOVO WAR LIBERIAN CIVIL WAR CONGO WAR

The stand-by roster was formed DRC endured recurrent in response to a UNHCR re- During the 1994 Rwanda crisis, conflict after several years quest for emergency personnel 800,000 people were killed and of civil war. Charles-Arthur for Iraq. In November 1991 Rolf more than 500,000 fled Pierre-Jacques, a spe- Moi, a pedagogue and ma- across the border to neighbour- cialist in peacekeeping chine technician from Vikeså in ing Tanzania. In the refugee operations, piloted the Norway, was deployed as a field camps in the western part of the system of civil-military joint officer to Kurdish areas of Iraq country, social worker Stener More than 200,000 people were monitoring teams in 2009 – part of what was at the time Vogt helped to establish the world’s first digital photo tracing killed during the first Liberian civil and 2010. one of the biggest humanitarian In 1992, a UN peacekeeping force began system for orphaned children. war, which was fought between 1989 operations in history. monitoring the 1991 peace settlement. NRC and 1996, eventually leading to the seconded 31 people as UN volunteers to involvement of the UN and the Eco- support the repatriation of more than 360,000 nomic Community of West African refugees and preparations for elections in States. In 1998, Åshild Eliassen was 1993. Elisabeth Settemsdal was amongst the deployed to Ivory Coast as a repatria- In September 1998, the UN Security Council adapted first five to arrive in February 1992 to support tion officer, working with refugees Resolution 119, opening the way for UN, NATO and later demographic mapping and registration in the wishing to return to Liberia. The OSCE engagement in the conflict. Among the secondees to different regions. peace did not last long - the second the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission was the current Liberian civil war broke out in 1999. NORCAP director, Benedicte Giæver.

1991-2002 THE SIERRA 1998-2011 CIVIL WAR IN 1999-2003 SECOND 1999-2007 EAST 1991-2011 SOMALIA CIVIL 2001-2011 COLOMBIA 1989-2009 SRI LANKA LEONE CIVIL WAR SUDAN & DARFUR CRISIS LIBERIAN CIVIL WAR TIMOR CIVIL WAR WAR AND FAMINE REFUGEE CRISIS CIVIL WAR

Somalia has been without a functional The conflict between the Sri central government and plagued by Lankan government and the The civil war in Sudan, violence since the downfall of Siad Barre Tamil Tigers cost the lives of Africa’s longest, lasted for in 1991. In 2007, Odd Einar Olsen was as many as 100,000 people 21 years. By the time it deployed to Puntland and central Somalia over 25 years. It also caused ended in 2005, two million as a field coordinator. significant hardship for the people had been killed and civilian population, and seri- four million forced to flee ous damage to the country’s their homes. Cameroonian economy and environment. Millan Atam experienced the Over the years, NORCAP emergence of a new coun- seconded personnel to more than 70 assignments, including the Sri try, working as a monitoring Lanka Monitoring Mission established following the 2002 ceasefire. and evaluation officer in the newly established UN office in Juba.

83 Timeline

2002-2007 IVORY 2003 BAM EARTH- 2004 INDIAN OCEAN 2005 PAKISTAN 2008 CYCLONE 2009 GAZA WAR 2003-2011 IRAQ WAR 2001- 2011 COAST CIVIL WAR QUAKE, IRAN TSUNAMI EARTHQUAKE NARGIS, BURMA AFGHANISTAN WAR

After a period of eth- On the morning of 8 October 2005, The Afghan war began on 7 October 2001, when a coalition nic tension and vio- a huge earthquake struck northern of international forces invaded in support of the Northern Alli- lence, civil war broke Pakistan and Kashmir, killing more ance. Among the hundreds of NORCAP personnel seconded to Afghanistan since then was Palestinian community health out in Ivory Coast in than 75,000 people. Education expert Eli Rognerud was among the specialist Mirvette Abedrabbo. September 2002. In NORCAP personnel deployed to 2004, Pierrot Koti, a the affected areas. Norwegian information manager with Togan background, was seconded as a One of the deadliest natural disas- Since 1999, NORCAP personnel have ters in recorded history, the Indian database expert. been on more than 630 assignments to the Ocean tsunami killed more than Occupied Palestinian Territories. Following 230,000 people in 14 countries. Israel’s 2009 assault on the Gaza Strip, Within three days of receiving the NORCAP provided personnel for 119 first request, NORCAP had pro- assignments in both Gaza and the West vided personnel for the emergency Bank, including the TIPH civilian observer response. mission

2007 - 2008 KENYA 2008 SICHUAN EARTH- 2010 HAITI 2010 KYRGYZSTAN 2009-2011 2010 PAKISTAN 2010-2011 IVORY 2011 ARAB SPRING 2011 PAKISTAN 2011 HORN OF ELECTION CRISIS QUAKE, CHINA EARTHQUAKE POLITICAL CRISIS NAMIBIA FLOODS FLOODING COAST CRISIS FLOODING AFRICA FAMINE

The 2010 Haiti earthquake killed more than Since the start of the Arab uprisings, 300,000 people, and severely affected NORCAP has seconded nearly 50 the existing UN operation in the country. As specialists to organisations responding internet and telephone communications were to the crises in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and severed, radio became the only way to get in- Syria. Sigmund Aas, a civil servant with formation out. French-Algerian journalist Mehdi the Norwegian immigration authority, was Benchelah worked to re-establish local radio deployed to the Egyptian border with Libya stations. as refugee determination officer.

Namibia experienced its On 12 May 2008 an earthquake measuring 8.0 worst flooding in 50 years. The drought affecting east African is said to This is a selection on the Richter scale killed 70,000 people and Gøril Tomren, an education be the worst in 60 years, and has caused specialist from Molde in of secondments and made millions homeless. Chinese authorities a severe food crisis across Somalia, Ethiopia major crises only. led the response, but requested UN support in Norway, worked with na- and Kenya. Famine threatens the livelihoods tional education authorities The dates gener- selected areas. Education expert Georg Mevold of more than 13. million people. As a com- ally reflect NORCAP was seconded to support capacity building of to develop teacher manuals munications officer based in Nairobi, Roar engagement; not government partners in planning and managing and radio learning pro- Bakke Sørensen helps raise awareness. necessarily the education in emergencies and reconstruction. grammes on DRR. official start-or end date of the crises.

85 Acronyms List of acronyms

ACAPS – Assessment Capacities Project ESD – Education for sustainable development MTF – Mitigation Task Force UNDP – United Nations Development Programme ACTED – Agency for Technical Cooperation FAO – Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN) NCP – National Congress Party (Sudan) UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme and Development GBV – Gender based violence NMFA – Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific AEC – Assessment and Evaluation Commission GenCap – Gender Stand-by Capacity Project NOROBS – Norwegian Stand-by Roster for Civilian and Cultural Organisation AFDEM – African Civilian Response Capacity for Peace GIS – Geographic information system Observers UNFPA – United Nations Population Fund Support Operations HFA – Hyogo Framework for Action NUPI – Norwegian Institute of International Affairs UN-HABITAT – United Nations Human Settlements AU – African Union Programme HLP – Housing, land and property OCHA – Office for the Coordination of AUHIP – African Union High Level Implementation Panel Humanitarian Affairs (UN) UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner for ICT – Information and communications technology BAFIA – Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ OECD – Organisation for Economic Cooperation Refugees Affairs (Iran) IDMC – Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre and Development UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund CARICOM – Caribbean Community IDP – Internally displaced person OECD DAC – OECD Development Assistance Committee UNISDR – United Nations International Strategy for CCA – Climate change adaption IHRC – Interim Haiti Recovery Commission OHCHR – Office of the High Commissioner for Disaster Reduction CCCM – Camp coordination and camp management IMT – International Monitoring Team Human Rights (UN) UNRWA – United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East CDAC – Communicating with Disaster Affected IOM – International Organisation for Migration OIC – Organisation of the Islamic Conference Communities ISDR – International Strategy for Disaster OPT – Occupied Palestinian Territories UN-WOMEN – United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women CICERO – Centre for International Climate and Reduction (UN) OSCE – Organisation for Security and Co-operation Environmental Research ISPI – International Stabilisation and in Europe WASH – Water, sanitation and hygiene CPA – Comprehensive Peace Agreement Peacebuilding Initiative OSRSG-SVC – Office of the Special Representative on WFP – World Food Programme (UN) CPRU – Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit JEM – Justice and Equality Movement (Sudan) Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN) WMO – World Meteorological Organisation CRC – Convention on the Rights of the Child LRA – Lord’s Resistance Army PLaCES – Protective Learning and Community Emergency Services DDR – Disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration MENA – Middle East and North Africa ProCap – The Protection Capacity Stand-by Project DPA – Department of Political Affairs (UN) MINUSTAH – United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti SGBV – Sexual and gender-based violence DPKO – Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UN) MoGCSW – Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare (South Sudan) SLA – Sudan Liberation Army DPR – Disaster preparedness and response MONUSCO – United Nations Mission in the SPLA – Sudan People’s Liberation Army DRC – Democratic Republic of Congo Democratic Republic of Congo SSUM – South Sudan Unity Movement DRM – Disaster risk management MoSD – Ministry for Social Development TIPH – Temporary International Presence in DRR – Disaster risk reduction (South Sudan) the City of Hebron DSB – Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection MRM – Monitoring and reporting mechanisms TPKE – Thematic Platform for Knowledge and and Emergency Planning MSB – Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency Education (UN) ECHO – European Commission Humanitarian Aid MSU – Mediation Support Unit TSU – Transitional Support Unit and Civil Protection Department MTPTC – Ministry of Public Works, Transportation UNDAF – United Nations Development ERD – Economic and Rural Development Committee and Communications (Haiti) Assistance Framework