French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development

The Crisis and Support Centre Emergency diplomacy

The Crisis and Support Centre Contents

The Crisis and Support Centre 3 Its roles 4 A network of interministerial and international partners 4 Structure of the Crisis and Support Centre 5 The Crisis and Support Centre in figures 6 Administration and logistics 7 A unit dedicated to crisis logistics 7 Preparedness and Partnerships Unit 9 Crisis preparedness 10 Partnerships and support for French businesses in crisis theatres 10 The Situation Centre 11 Monitoring and analysis 12 Analysing risks and planning France’s response 13 Supporting French businesses abroad 14 Developing French expertise abroad 15 Services for users 16 Conseils aux voyageurs (Travellers’ advice) 16 Ariane 16 Emergency operations 17 Managing consular crises 18 Opening of a crisis unit 18 A hotline to inform the public 18 Deployment of field missions in crisis situations 19 Prospects of more, increasingly diverse crises 20 Handling deaths and disappearances abroad 21 Medical expertise 22 The Humanitarian Action Mission 23 France’s emergency humanitarian response 24 Fostering humanitarian diplomacy 24 Partnerships supporting France’s humanitarian action 25 With the United Nations 25 With the European Union 25 With NGOs 25 With businesses 26 At interministerial level 27 Ministry of the Interior 27 Ministry of Health and Social Affairs 27 Ministry of Defence 27 With local government bodies 28 Financial instruments 29 Emergency Humanitarian Fund (FUH) 29 The FACECO 29 The FDC 29 Stabilization Unit 31

2 The Crisis and Support Centre

The Crisis and Support Centre is responsible for monitoring, anticipating, warning about, and managing crises that occur abroad and require either a response to an event that threatens the security of French nationals abroad or emergency humanitarian action. It is also responsible for supporting post-crisis stabilization.

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 3 The Crisis and Support Centre

Its roles

In a world made more unstable by development of risks and threats and, In this respect it has six major roles: increasing numbers of crises and where in some cases, launch emergency more and more French nationals live operations. The Crisis and Support • 24-hour global monitoring; and travel abroad, the capacity of the Centre (CDSC) is placed directly • anticipation of crises; government to respond to crisis situa- under the authority of the Minister • analysis and monitoring of emergency tions is a key component of French of Foreign Affairs and International situations; external policy. Development and is competent to • preparation of the French authorities’ handle crises which threaten the response plans; Since 2008, the Ministry of Foreign safety of French nationals abroad • conducting operations on the ground Affairs and International Development and for humanitarian crises. It is also during crises; (MAEDI) has established a crisis mana- responsible for supporting post-crisis • post-crisis stabilization. gement tool allowing it to monitor the stabilization.

A network of interministerial and international partners

The CDCS mobilizes and coordinates all the resources of the MAEDI and other government departments in the event of a crisis abroad. It works in close liaison with a network of ministerial partners: the General Secretariat for Defence and National Security (SGDSN), the Ministry of Defence’s Operations Planning and Conduct Centre (CPCO), the Ministry of the Interior’s Operational Centre for Interministerial Monitoring of Crises (COGIC), and the Ministry of Health’s Public Establishment for Health Emer- gency Preparation and Response (EPRUS).

The Crisis Centre is also an extremely active partnership cluster for all those who handle crisis situations outside France in one way or another, including NGOs, businesses and local government, as well as French nationals who live or travel abroad, their elected representatives, UN and European organizations, and foreign crisis centres.

4 Structure of the Crisis and Support Centre

Stabilization Usnit Civil society support Governance support

Budget, Administrative and Logical Support Unit Health Unit Training and Lessons Learned) Training Multilateral with NGOs, Partnerships Humanitarian External Relations (Communication, Action Mission and businesses local government Geographical Sectors

Centre Support Unit Deputy Director DIRECTOR Emergency Situation Emergency Individual Cases Unit Emergency Operations

CAD Analysis Mapping Relations Secretariat and operators Monitoring Unit with businesses Situation Centre EU Co-ordination and Planning Unit Directorate Secretariat Directorate Department Secretariats

Partnerships Partnerships Unit Preparedness and Preparedness Crisis Preparedness

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 5 TheCentre Crisis de criseand Support et de soutien Centre

The Crisis and Support Centre in figures

72 specialists in crisis management (diplomats, analysts, operational experts, humanitarian experts, logistics experts, doctor, psychologist).

268 crisis situations since 2008* Operational 24 /7 38 in 2008

50 in 2009 Over 8 million 61 in 2010 visits per year to the « Conseils aux voyageurs » pages 46 in 2011 An annual operational budget of 25 in 2012 € 2,6 million, more than half 25 in 2013 of which is made available to French embassies and consulates. 23 in 2014

* Corresponding to the official opening of a crisis unit.

An Emergency Humanitarian Fund of about

€ 100 million

since 2008

0

Amount spent (euros)

8,366,000 9,660,000 9,207,000 10,900,00

8,455,000 35,306,611

15,470,402 11,939,634 14,820,762

9,767,822 8,652,137 9,000,000

12,216,468

8,455,000 Initial budget (euros)

15,240,138 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

6 Administration and logistics A unit dedicated to crisis logistics

The Budget, Administrative and These budgetary resources can ensure This unit is also responsible for Logistical Support Unit manages an the payment of stocks of staples, organizing chartering of ships and operational budget which is adapted medicines (first aid kits, vaccines, etc.), aircraft for humanitarian transports to crisis situations based on the needs communications equipment, various and evacuations, as well as delivering and emergencies encountered by equipment and items needed in case humanitarian freight to affected areas. French embassies and consulates. of crisis (to equip rally points, for CBRN protection, specific medicines such as iodine tablets).

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 7 The Crisis and Support Centre

8 Preparedness and Partnerships Unit

The Preparedness and Partnerships Unit has two main areas of action: preparing for eventual crises, particularly in countries with French interests, and support for the positioning of expertise and French businesses in post-crisis stabilization theatres. This unit therefore supports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development’s economic diplomacy policy.

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 9 Centre de crise et de soutien

Crisis preparedness

The Crisis and Support Centre works warning system, SYAL, designed to analysis of structural causes of des- ahead to prepare for eventual crises, prepare for eventual crises by imple- tabilization, the study of their recur- particularly in countries home to menting a comprehensive approach. rence, and factors that spark crises. French interests. Experience from recent crises shows that risk factors do not come only in Better predicting crises helps better For this purpose, the Preparedness the form of political and security issues: prepare the response to make to and Partnerships Unit, which is an risk analysis and crisis response based them. The aim is also to support poli- interministerial coordinating structure, on a comprehensive approach thus tical reflection and decision-making, is responsible for work to prepare for need to take into account factors of in order to best utilize the cooperation eventual crises, assessing destabiliza- differing nature, such as economic, resources implemented in the countries tion risks in the 163 countries where social, religious and environmental where France decides to work. France has diplomatic representation. factors. Understanding crises there- In particular, it has developed an early fore requires the ability to link up the

Partnerships and support for French businesses in crisis theatres

The Preparedness and Partnerships dinates and mobilizes all soft power Unit puts economic stakes in crisis instruments to help promote French theatres at the forefront of its action, economic interests. in cooperation with the operators By strengthening its expertise in UN concerned. and EU contracts in particular, it aims to provide businesses with its support Drawing on its knowledge of crisis in order to ensure a French response theatres and local players, the Prepa- to calls for tenders on crisis and post- redness and Partnerships Unit coor- crisis theatres.

10 The Situation Centre

The Situation Centre carries out permanent monitoring of events abroad, analysing risks and threats and planning for crisis responses.

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 11 The Crisis and Support Centre

Monitoring and analysis

The Monitoring Unit provides a 24- At night and on weekends, the and security monitoring; hour watch and alert. Monitoring Unit is the Ministry of • responds to protocol and consular Foreign Affairs and International emergences (overflight requests, The day staff draws up and circulates Development’s duty department, etc.); a daily summary of crises and ensuring the continuity of services. • disseminates Ministry emergency situations based on all It: communiqués; their public (close to 600 selected • responds to emergencies • disseminates alerts concerning websites, blogs, forums, think tanks concerning French nationals in major events; and television news outlets) and difficulty; • if necessary, it amends Conseils aux confidential sources. Early in the • puts out real-time alert and advice voyageurs (travellers’ advice) pages morning, the night staff distributes messages for French nationals (at night and during weekends). internally an early summary of global abroad; events based on these sources. • carries out humanitarian, political

12 Analysing risks and planning France’s response

The Situation Centre, tasked with the • detailed maps, used by the Crisis 220 security plans of France’s role of analysing all types of threats and Support Centre’s operational embassies and consulates abroad. and risks (political, criminal, terrorist, teams, which are used notably to These plans are, for certain countries, health, seismic, meteorological, indus- identify critical sites at the time of established in close coordination with trial, environmental, etc.), provides a the implementation of security plans. the Ministry of Defence, which carries summary of the available information, out its own crisis planning. based on a set of sources, one of the The analysis based on this information most important of which is the network fuels the reflection of the State autho- Within the framework of these two of French embassies and consulates rities, including when formulating major roles, the Situation Centre lastly abroad. their humanitarian or security policy convenes, coordinates and follows up abroad. interministerial crisis meetings organized The mapping team is responsible at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and for parsing all the Crisis and Support This information also helps ensure International Development, represen- Centre’s geographical information and enhanced monitoring of a certain ting the Ministry in the appropriate drawing up maps. number of countries where security forums in its areas of competence. risks are particularly high, and to Two types of map are produced: ensure the level of response prepa- redness that developments in the • presentation maps, which may country could require. The Situation be used in the framework of high-level Centre is also tasked with providing meetings. They are used to enrich Conseils aux voyageurs (Travellers’ documents or illustrate the situation advice), which has a very wide in interministerial meetings, or be made audience. The procedure to produce available to the public, such as the this advice is ISO 9001 certified. maps provided on the Conseils aux voyageurs (Travellers’ advice) section The Situation Centre is also responsible of the Ministry’s France Diplomatie for planning crisis responses. As such, website; its roles include supervising the

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 13 The Crisis and Support Centre

Supporting French businesses abroad

As a regular contact for businesses The CDCS thus organizes a regular graphical areas that are of particular working internationally, the CDCS, meeting on the security of French interest to businesses. Lastly, it through its businesses unit, maintains businesses abroad, covering the issues participates in external forums such constant dialogue with companies and of employee safety and expatriation as chambers of commerce and trade organizations such as CINDEX (Centre and bringing together close to shows focusing on exportation and inter-entreprises de l’expatriation, 400 high-level private sector, civil expatriation in order to inform busi- intercompany expatriation centre), the society and government managers. nesses regarding its action and to CDSE (Club des directeurs de sécurité raise their awareness of crisis culture. des enterprises, company security This cooperation is governed by directors’ club), the Cercle Magellan, agreements signed, for example, with the AFTM (French Travel Managers’ the CINDEX/CDSE and the Cercle association) and the Agora des direc- Magellan, specifying cooperation in teurs de sécurité (security directors crisis prevention and management forum), to help them better take into concerning French employees abroad. account the safety of their expatriate The aim of this public-private coope- employees and their families. In particular, ration is to best respond to questions it responds to their questions on the on the situation and evolution of risks situation regarding known risks and so that businesses, which are res- threats in a given country or region, ponsible for their employees, can do allowing them to take the most everything they can to combat them. appropriate steps to address them. The Crisis and Support Centre thus The Crisis and Support Centre also contributes to the “economic diplomacy” organizes regular meetings and parti- that Minister Laurent Fabius has made cipates in conference calls on the a priority. political and security situation in geo-

14 Developing French expertise abroad

The international cooperation operators cooperation projects are planned training” by the European Union; and international relations operators to be implemented; thematic and • a shared forum for reflection: of France’s ministries send experts geographical information meetings; organization since 2014 of an abroad, in a context of increasing ad hoc meetings at the request of annual seminar on security issues exposure to risks and threats of all operators; for experts and personnel sent kinds. Their missions vary between • a real-time warning system: abroad, as well as on supporting information, training, development, alerting of all operators in the event the positioning of operators at every teaching and health care. of a security situation worsening; stage of a crisis; information exchange between ope- • expertise for calls for tender: Since 2014, the Ministry of Foreign rators and the CDCS in the event of support for operators in responding Affairs and International Development crisis; to the calls for tenders of international has been initiating a partnership with • risk management training: donors for humanitarian actions or these structures, organized around offered to the personnel and experts stabilization work in post-crisis several pillars: of public operators or those under countries. contract with the government, who • personalized information and are sent out into the field. This advice: information on the security training is certified as “advanced situation of countries where their dangerous environments security

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 15 The Crisis and Support Centre

Services for users Two dedicated services have been developed to protect travellers. Conseils aux voyageurs (Travellers’ advice) The Conseils aux voyageurs section Since July 2011, the procedure to of the France Diplomatie website is the update Conseils aux voyageurs primary information and prevention pages has been ISO 9001 certified tool for the safety of French nationals – an international quality standard. abroad. It has 211 pages, including Conseils aux voyageurs are updated 191 geographical pages and more than 1,300 times per year, with 20 thematic ones. The number of some countries being updated several visits to Conseils aux voyageurs dozen times in a single year. They are increases regularly. In 2014, it received available in a range of formats, on an average 600,000 visits per month, smartphones, tablets and on Twitter. adding up to close to 8 million visitors over the course of a full year.

THE BRAZIL FOOTBALL WORLD CUP: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS

France supports its nationals during ma- A supporter’s guide, providing practical jor events held abroad. advice and security warnings, was made More than 20,000 French nationals were available on the websites of the French expected in Brazil for the World Cup, Football Federation, FIFA, MAEDI and and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the L’Équipe newspaper. Moreover, a International Development (MAEDI) put partnership was forged with the NGO in place specific arrangements, involving ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child consular support in cities without a Pornography and Trafficking of Children consulate and where matches with the for Sexual Purposes) in order to support French team were held. the fight against paedophilia.

Ariane

Since late 2010, travellers can register Once traveller data have been entered Plus de 250 000 ressortissants français their trips abroad on Ariane. They into Ariane: sont enregistrés en 2015. Plus de then receive emails and are accounted • travellers receive safety advice by 450 messages de sécurité ont été for during emergency operations text message or email if required envoyés à travers le monde en 2014. organized by France abroad. by the situation in the country; • travellers are contacted in the Registration with the Ariane service, event of a crisis in their destination which was designed in liaison with countries; the French data protection authority • the contact person designated by (CNIL), comes with all personal the traveller may also be contacted data security and confidentiality if necessary. guarantees. It does not replace More than 250,000 French nationals registration on the register of French registered in 2015. More than nationals living abroad where the 450 security messages were sent duration of stay exceeds six months. worldwide in 2014.

16 Emergency operations

Emergency operations mobilize professional teams responsible for implementing and controlling crisis response instruments in France and abroad.

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 17 The Crisis and Support Centre

Managing consular crises

When an event abroad threatens to come to their aid: a crisis unit and the safety of French nationals, the a telephone hotline are opened, and Crisis and Support Unit takes action missions are deployed in the field..

Opening of a crisis unit

Equipped with modern communica- supervision of the local ambassador. tions and management technology The crisis unit can be reinforced as (encrypted communication systems, necessary by liaison officers from videoconferencing, video walls, etc.) other administrations, the private this structure can be activated very sector or civil society. quickly. It makes it possible to assemble all the parties concerned in one place, While the CDCS is a permanent thus ensuring optimal coordination structure, crisis units are temporary and internal communication. It is as they are opened and closed with responsible for strategic coordination the unfolding of major crises. during the crisis and the organization of emergency operations, under the

A hotline to inform the public

The hotline can handle up to The CDCS can also redirect to its is systematically opened in the event 4,000 calls per 24 hours. Special own call numbers the communica- of mass accidents abroad that could hotline numbers are made known via tions addressed to French embassies involve French nationals. the media. and consulates which, in the context of a crisis, are no longer capable of Telephones are answered in case of answering the telephone. crisis by personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International The hotline fulfils an information Development on a voluntary basis, mission, responding to questions with potential reinforcements from like “what is the current situation?” Red Cross personnel. All have or “how should we behave?” It also received prior training. helps take into account individual problems such as persons in difficulty and missing persons. A telephone line

SOME FIGURES • Triple disaster in Japan (2011) : 9,500 calls • Bombay bombings (2008) : 6,500 calls • Côte d’Ivoire situation (2011) : 6,000 calls • H1N1 flu pandemic (2009) : 13,000 calls • Crash of flight AH5017 (2014) : 5,790 calls • Haiti earthquake (2010) : 18,500 calls • Earthquake in Nepal (2015) : 18,500 calls

18 Deployment of field missions in crisis situations

The CDCS often has to deploy mis- In the humanitarian field, this may Given how dangerous some of these sions under the authority of ambassa- involve aid transport missions (shelters, situations are, the personnel are cove- dors, in order to support embassies medicines, food, etc.) or facilitating and red by an insurance policy identical to and consulates in managing consular coordinating the work of teams specia- that of operational military personnel. crises during major events. Staff lized in civil security or health, interve- specialized in managing emergency ning in crisis theatres. The CDCS has a situations are prepared be deployed permanent humanitarian stock of suf- on the ground at any time. They have ficient size to cope with the needs of the right equipment (satellite communi- 10,000 people. These operations may cations, radios, logistical equipment) to be accompanied by the deployment of respond to any situation. logistical assets, such as field hospitals of drinking water production units.

EVACUATION OF FRENCH AND BRITISH NATIONALS FROM LIBYA

the Port of Tripoli, which had been secured in advance by the French armed forces.

Departure formalities with the local authorities for the 47 evacuees, including 7 British nationals, were facilitated by the CDCS to enable their repatriation to Toulon. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development’s crisis unit provided On 27 July 2014, the French govern- a constant liaison with the French ment decided to evacuate French embassy in Tripoli, the Operational nationals in Libya by sea. The Mont- Planning and Conduct Centre (CPCO), calm and Courbet frigates arrived the frigates, all its European partners, off the coast of Tripoli on Wednesday, and the French repatriates’ mutual 30 July 2014 at 02:57. A team from support committee (CEFR). the CDCS was aboard the Montcalm. Zodiac inflatables landed at 04:10 in

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 19 The Crisis and Support Centre

Prospects of more, increasingly diverse crises

20082008 20112011 2014 When conflict broke out inGeorgia The year was marked by the series 2014 was marked in the health field in 2008, France was one of the first of the Arab Springs, the Japanese by France’s support for the fight countries to get involved. The CDCS triple disaster, the Côte d’Ivoire against Ebola Virus Disease, dispatched more than 100 tonnes of crisis, the terrorist attack in Mar- including in Guinea, where three humanitarian aid and proceeded with rakesh, and the humanitarian crisis treatment centres and two training the repatriation of French nationals, in the Horn of Africa, requiring major centres were built to support local European citizens and nationals of action from France, particularly from capacity-building. In the consular field, other countries. That same year, a a financial perspective. That year, the the CDCS had to manage security state of emergency was declared in CDCS evacuated several thousand crises (evacuation of French natio- Bangkok, and the CDCS took charge French nationals from Libya, Japan nals from Libya) and a series of air of the return of French nationals stuck and Côte d’Ivoire, amongst others, disasters involving French nationals there. and repatriated 2500 Egyptians bloc- (including the disappearance of the ked at the border between Tunisia Malaysia Airlines flight, crashes in 20092009 and Libya to Cairo. Ukraine, Taiwan and Mali, and the The CDCS was mobilized for weeks disappearance of the Air Asia flight in to monitor the H1N1 flu pandemic. 2012-20132012-2013 Indonesia). The CDCS was active in It organized the vaccination of French Growing insecurity in the Central responding to the rise of Daesh in nationals abroad against the disease. African Republic (CAR) in late 2012 Iraq, coordinating the dispatch of The year was also marked by major worsened in 2013, leading to a coup humanitarian cargo and receiving Iraqi air disasters, including the crash of d’État in March, during which the refugees in France. flight AF 447 in the Atlantic (216 pas- town of Bangui was the site of violence sengers and 12 crew), followed by and looting. Two Crisis Centre missions that of a Yemenia aircraft, off Comoros worked withthe Embassy in order (147 passengers and 11 crew). to support French nationals in the country. The same year, numerous 20102010 missions were sent to most of the This year saw the earthquake in Haiti. Sahel countries and the Middle France was the first country to the East/North Africa region to build scene of the earthquake the next day, the crisis management capacities of deploying more than 1,000 staff, in the French embassies following the 2015 addition to ships, aircraft, field hospi- French intervention in Mali in January Since the start of 2015, the CDCS tals and other resources. The CDCS 2013. has been highly mobilized by a series also evacuated hundreds of Haitian of tragic events. There has been children in the process of being adop- 2013 was also marked by the terrorism (attacks on Charlie Hebdo ted by French families and provided handling of the mass hostage-taking and the Hyper Cacher supermarket, Haiti with assistance to cope with a of In Amenas, Algeria (contact with where the Centre ran an interminis- cholera epidemic. families, liaison with the Embassy, cri- terial victim support unit, and that on sis communication) and the bombing the Bardo museum in Tunis), mass of the French Embassy in Libya on accidents (helicopter crash during 23 April. Late 2013 saw the Typhoon shooting of the television show Haiyan disaster in the Philippines Dropped in Argentina, GermanWings (8 November 2013). crash), natural disasters (cyclone in Vanuatu, earthquake in Nepal), and upheaval of political and security situations (support for the departure of French nationals in Yemen).

20 Handling deaths and disappearances abroad MASS ACCIDENTS

On average, 800 deaths of French Five French hostages were freed (4 Coach accident in Cuba nationals abroad are reported to the journalists in Syria, Didier François, On 2 December 2014, there was CDCS by the diplomatic and consular Édouard Elias, Nicolas Henin and a coach accident in the province network for legal, family, health, practi- Pierre Torres, held since 2013; and of Cienfugos. The bus was cal and other reasons. These cases, Serge Lazarevic, who had been held carrying 41 French nationals. which are far from representing all in North Mali since 2011). From Paris, the CDCS provided deaths of French nationals abroad support and information to (almost 7,000), require a response Most of these cases are very emo- their families, in liaison with from the CDCS. They can involve tional and often receive considerable the Prefecture of the Calvados both individual cases and mass acci- media coverage. In all these cases, Department, their region of dents such as natural disasters, bus the CDCS is responsible for infor- origin. accidents and air crashes. ming the families, guiding them and At the same time, the CDCS assisting them in carrying out the contacted the tour operator Each year, 200 concerning disap- necessary formalities. It also helps and the assistance company in pearances are recorded. While many the families receive what they are order to ensure that procedures cases are luckily wrapped up quickly, due from the dedicated bodies, such to repatriate the 41 French about 50 cases, generally resulting as the National Institute for Victims’ nationals were carried out as in the opening of court proceedings, Aid and Mediation (INAVEM) and the soon as possible and under the become long term matters or end Compensation Fund for Victims of best conditions. tragically with the discovery of a body. Acts of Terrorism and Other Offenses Lastly, following up the families of (FGTI). the victims of terrorism and hostage- taking is a major component of the In all these cases, the CDCS works Crash of flight AH 5017 CDCS’s activity. in partnership both with the relevant On 24 July 2014, Air Algérie ministries (Justice, Interior, Defence) flight AH 5017, flying between In 2014, two French nationals died and with their competent depart- Ouagadougou and Algiers, from injuries during a terrorist attack ments (National Unit for Countering crashed in Mali, with 54 French abroad: Jean-Yves Socard in Yemen, Violence against the Person (OCRVP), nationals aboard. A crisis unit and Dominique Sabrier at the Jewish National Gendarmerie Forensics Ins- was opened and a hotline was Museum in Brussels. Hervé Gourdel titute (IRCGN), National Gendarmerie set up. was abducted by a terrorist organiza- Intervention Group (GIGN), services In Mali, the Serval force was tion and murdered by his kidnappers specialized in counter-terrorism, etc.). deployed immediately to secure while being held prisoner. the crash site. A CDCS mission was sent out to carry out coordination between experts from the National Gendarmerie Forensics Institute (IRCGN), the French embassy in Bamako, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, and local French forces. In late April 2015, the CDCS, supported by the French armed forces, organized a crash site visit for the victims’ families.

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 21 Centre de crise et de soutien

Medical expertise

• the establishment of targeted health actions, suited to the needs of the poorest populations, in cooperation with international agencies, non- governmental organizations and French specialized intervention units (Civil Security, EPRUS, Armed Forces Health Service);

• conducting medical and psycholo- gical support missions for French and foreign nationals (medical eva- cuations, medical assistance with French diplomatic facilities, hostage situations, evacuation or safeguar- ding of French nationals).

Faced with a major health crisis, the The CDCS also has a medical • informing travellers through the Crisis Centre may mobilize and component, whose main roles are: Conseils aux voyageurs pages, coordinate the action of civil and can in liaison with the Ministry of Health be mobilized immediately and are cali- • international health monitoring, (evidence-based health alerts are brated specifically to address the main in liaison with international organi- included where required by the local medical and surgical emergencies. zations and the French or foreign situation) ; ministries concerned;

FOCUS ON EBOLA

The Crisis and Support Centre acts in particular for the creation of as a coordinator for France’s efforts three treatment centres and two to combat the Ebola virus. A special training centres, in addition to local task force was set up, operating capacity-building in Guinea. out of the Centre. It is responsible

22 The Humanitarian Action Mission

The Humanitarian Action Mission coordinates the French government’s emergency humanitarian response and relations with the different partners.

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 23 The Crisis and Support Centre

France’s emergency humanitarian response

The CDCS is also competent for the In accordance with France’s com- and promoting the fundamental management of humanitarian crises. mitments, recalled in the French principles of humanitarian action: With a staff of seven, the Humanita- Republic’s Humanitarian Strategy, “neutrality, impartiality, humanity and rian Action Mission coordinates the which was adopted on 6 July 2012, independence”. The Centre’s Huma- government’s emergency humani- the CDCS deploys its emergency nitarian Action Mission also ensures tarian response in liaison with the humanitarian assistance in strict compliance with the Principles and Ministry’s central administration (the compliance with international huma- Good Practice of Humanitarian Directorate-General of Global Affairs, nitarian law (IHL) and international Donorship, adopted in Stockholm on Development and Partnerships (DGM), human rights law. Its efforts are also 17 June 2003, as well as following and the United Nations, International based on the European Consensus the Good Humanitarian Donorship Organizations, Human Rights and on Humanitarian Aid, adopted by the initiative and the Oslo Guidelines on Francophonie Directorate (NUOI), European Council, Commission and the Use of Foreign Military and Civil embassies and permanent represen- Parliament in December 2007, which Defence Assets in Disaster Relief. tations to international organizations. reaffirms the commitment of the EU It also coordinates relations with the and its Member States to defending various partners, such as NGOs, donors, European Commission (ECHO), UN agencies, and the Inter- national Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

In event of a humanitarian emergency, and generally at the request of the affected country, the Centre provides financial support to civilian operators, experienced in emergency situations, or deploys human and material resources directly in the crisis theatre. Apart from humanitarian emergency situations (“hot crises”), it also intervenes occasionally in countries where humanitarian crises are almost permanent.

Fostering humanitarian diplomacy

The CDCS participates actively in the Within these forums, it promotes formulation of France’s humanitarian respect for humanitarian principles policy and in the major debates in and the goal of access to humanita- UN bodies on the financing of inter- rian assistance for the most vulnerable national humanitarian action and the people. It supports the coordination reform of humanitarian action. mission entrusted to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) of the United Nations.

24 Partnerships supporting France’s humanitarian action With the United Nations

France instigated the 2005 reform initially created in 1998. Moreover, a international and bilateral meetings that entrusted the implementation considerable portion of the Emergency structuring political dialogue with of sectoral coordination, the improve- Humanitarian Fund (EHF) is allotted multilateral humanitarian institutions ment of crisis funding via the Central to UN humanitarian agencies in the (HCR, OCHA, ICRC). The agreement Emergency Response Fund (CERF), framework of specific actions. signed with the WFP allows it to make and the creation of a network of hu- use of the Programme’s humanitarian manitarian action coordinates to the With the Ministry’s UN and internatio- depots, so as to deliver donations of Office for the Coordination of Humani- nal organizations directorate (NUOI), humanitarian goods and equipment tarian Affairs (OCHA), which was the CDCS participates in the various rapidly anywhere in the world.

With the European Union

The Humanitarian Action Mission, in The Crisis and Support Centre European Community Humanitarian liaison with the other relevant depart- promotes France’s priorities in the Office (ECHO) of the European Com- ments, participates in keeping track humanitarian field at EU level, as mission, which has, as part of the of humanitarian issues at European well as France’s skills and partners EU Civil Protection Mechanism, an level, including within the European in European forums and programmes. Emergency Response Coordination Council Working Party on Humani- It ensures the budgetary priorities of Centre (ERCC) that is operational tarian Aid and Food Aid (COHAFA). the Commission in the area of huma- 24/7, responsible for joint European In this forum, the Member States nitarian assistance are defended. The planning in the event of a disaster. In debate draft European humanitarian Centre also sits on the Humanitarian 2013, France used this mechanism assistance texts and programmes and Aid Committee (HAC), at which the to provide humanitarian assistance coordinate action around the required European Commission’s aid projects to the Philippines at the country’s responses to the various humanitarian are examined. Lastly, the Centre also request, following Typhoon Haiyan. crises. works in close cooperation with the

With NGOs

The CDCS maintains in-depth dialogue on humanitarian issues was set up It includes representatives from with French NGOs on thematic and in 1012 in order to strengthen NGO the various ministerial departments geographical issues. In accordance partnerships. It meets at least three involved in humanitarian work. with the French Republic’s Humani- times a year and can draw on the tarian Strategy, a cooperation group work of ad hoc thematic committees.

NATIONAL HUMANITARIAN CONFERENCE

The second National Humanitarian dinator, and Kristalina Georgieva, in a context of diversified players; Conference was held on 31 March then European Commissioner for the challenges and trends of linking 2014, involving all French huma- International Cooperation, Huma- emergency response, rehabilitation nitarian stakeholders (public nitarian Aid and Crisis Response, and development; and prospects for administrations, NGOs, international the Conference acted as a forum developments in the French humani- organizations, national and regional for more than 400 representative of tarian landscape. elected officials, corporate founda- humanitarian stakeholders to meet tions, media outlets, researchers and and discuss issues. students). In the presence of Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs The humanitarian community’s main and International Development, subjects of concern were discussed Baroness Valerie Amos, UN Under- at four round tables: new methods Secretary-General for Humanitarian for responding to complex emergency Affairs and Emergency Relief Coor- situations and fragility; aid coordination

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 25 The Crisis and Support Centre

With businesses reconnaissance missions to assess damage and adapt France’s response). The partnership was formalized through the signing of a convention between the Ministry and the Airbus Helicop- ters Foundation in January 2014. The convention provides for the provision free of charge of flying hours for huma- nitarian operations coordinated by the Crisis and Support Centre.

Businesses can also contribute to the cost-sharing fund attached to the Emergency Humanitarian Fund, or donate humanitarian equipment and services to the Centre in various fields Corporate foundations and businesses The CDCS seeks to foster this wide- (medical equipment, medicines, trans- themselves are increasingly involving ning of the palette of humanitarian port, etc.). themselves in humanitarian action. action tools by strengthening public- Their means of action include financial private partnerships. Cooperation Other partnerships were established sponsorship, sponsorship in kind, with the Airbus and Airbus Helicopters in 2014 with several major French and the provision of experts prepared foundations following the disaster companies and foundations: Veolia, to share their technical skills. caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Phi- Nutriset, Lafarge, EDF and Bouygues lippines was a first success (dispatch Construction. of freight and personnel on the ground,

FRANCE’S COMMITMENT TO DISPLACED PERSONS IN IRAQ – FIGHT AGAINST DAESH

Since summer 2014, theCDCS has been working to put in place an air bridge between France and Iraqi Kurdistan at the Minister’s request, in order to help people displaced by the advance of Daesh. Six flights have been organized to transport more than 100 metric tonnes of humanitarian equipment and goods for Iraqi and French associations sup- porting displaced populations.

Many French businesses and corporate foundations have been involved, as they were in the Philippines: drinking water purification systems donated by the Veolia Foundation; gift of several tonnes of nutritional supplements from NUTRISET; delivery of 7 tonnes of hygiene products by the Système U group and 3 tonnes of blankets financed by the Ouest France Solidarité association. Local governments were not left out: the Region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur also contributed to the delivery of hygiene products.

26 At interministerial level Ministry of the Interior

The CDCS and the Ministry of the of civil security assets. On 17 June Moreover, the CDCS also supports Interior’s General Directorate for Civil 2013, the two institutions signed a the efforts of French civil security Protection and Crisis Management protocol on the terms of cooperation teams alongside the International (DGSCGC) – particularly the Operatio- in the area of managing crises abroad, Search and Rescue Advisory Group nal Centre for Interministerial Moni- which included the conduct of field (INSARAG), ensuring they have toring of Crises (COGIC) – cooperate operations. The protocol was activated UN-certified operational units. The regularly in their alert and monitoring for the first time in November 2013, Humanitarian Action Mission repre- activities and the management of during the crisis in the Philippines. sents France within INSARAG and crises abroad that require the use United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC).

Ministry of Health and Social Affairs

The Ministry of Health and Social in Guinea in the fight against the associations). Stocks Affairs is another key partner of the Ebola virus (dispatch of public health of medicines and medical equipment CDCS. The Public Establishment for experts to advise the Directorate-Ge- are also prepositioned in the Paris Health Emergency Preparation and neral of Health in the organization of region to cover the main health risks Response (EPRUS) can thus mobilize the action plan, as well as providing and chemical, biological, radiological members of the public health reserve, material and financial assistance to or nuclear risks. as they did during the crisis that arose the French and Guinean Red Cross

Ministry of Defence

The CDCS cooperates with the Joint Collaboration with the armed forces cal units. Wherever the French armed Operations Planning and Command also includes humanitarian actions: forces are deployed, the CDCS’s & Control Centre (CPCO) for the in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, teams liaise with embassies to ensure transport of humanitarian equipment the CDCS provided funding for the good coordination of humanitarian (provision of vehicles and aircraft). association Gynécologie sans frontières stakeholders with the armed forces, For example, the CPCO contributed (Gynaecologists Without Borders) to as part of civilian-military crisis mana- in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. support the work of the army’s medi- gement.

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 27 Centre de crise et de soutien

With local government bodies

Over the years, French local govern- correspondents in each of them. tation of the Oudin-Santini Act, which ment bodies have developed external It facilitates coordination of the various has allowed them since 25 January actions on a large scale. These ac- players by bringing together NGOs, 2007 to carry out – or fund, if justified tions take many forms and range from UN agencies, foundations and local by the urgency of the situation – school exchanges to decentralized government bodies. It helps pool humanitarian actions, particularly cooperation actions, from twinning human and material resources (e.g. through the FACECO), a cost-sharing to economic partnership agreements. organization of shared transportation fund for contributions to larger-scale to the Philippines in November 2013, humanitarian projects. The Crisis and Support Centre provides when it covered the chartering of a local government with its expertise cargo aircraft). through constantly updated informa- tion and advice, utilizing its network The CDCS also supports local of embassies and the humanitarian government bodies in the implemen-

TYPHOON HAIYAN (PHILIPPINES)

dispatching aid to isolated areas and removing urban debris. Some of the poorest families received pay for their work loading and unloading trucks, which helped restore their financial autonomy. The NGO also handled the securing of damaged public buildings and carried out work needed to restore them, at the request of local councils. That work helped pay workers whose families had been badly affected, with particular attention being paid to employment of disabled persons.

The second project, coordinated by the NGO On 8 November 2013, an extremely powerful Triangle Génération Humanitaire, helped the fishing typhoon hit the Visayan archipelago, among the community in the municipality of Sulangan to poorest regions of the Philippines. This natural resume its activities, through the construction of disaster caused more than 6,000 deaths, and more new fishing boats by a network of local carpenters. than 1,000 people are still missing today. Seeking The project also took into account the situation of to provide assistance to the people of the Philippines, the community’s women, purchasing pigs and hens more than 20 French regions, departments and in order to restore domestic livestock. cities pooled their contributions within FACECO in order to fund two major reconstruction projects.

The first project, implemented by the NGO Handicap International, provided a transport service for emer- gency organizations and municipalities, aimed at

28 Financial instruments HOW TO CONTRIBUTE Emergency Humanitarian Fund (FUH) TO FACECO

In order to accomplish these different • subsidies to NGOs; The local government body chooses actions, the Humanitarian Action • exceptional payments to internatio- the country or crisis to which it wants Mission has credits on the interminis- nal or assimilated bodies such as to contribute. Following deliberation, terial “official development assistance” UNICEF, HCR, WFP, WHO, and the the competent Departmental Trea- mission budget. These credits are ICRC. sury makes a bank transfer to the grouped under the Emergency Huma- Trésorerie générale pour l’étranger nitarian Fund (FUH), which finances The FUH includes an annual endow- (TGE): different types of operation: ment of approximately €10 million, which may be increased in case of Trésorerie générale pour l’étranger • direct actions (provision of any type major crisis with a special allocation. Banque de France (BDF), of equipment); These resources may also be topped Nantes (44) Branch • operations conducted by diploma- up with donations from individuals, tic and consular posts using credit companies and local government into Bank code: 30001 delegations; the two dedicated aid funds presented Branch code: 00589 below. Account number: 0000M055150 Control key: 21 International Bank Account Number (IBAN): FR06 3000 1005 The FACECO 8900 00 M0 5515 021 • enabling an effective and relevant SWIFT (BIC) code of the Banque This aid fund, which is managed emergency response; de France: BDFEFRPPCCT by the CDCS, is dedicated to local • coordinating efforts and resources Mention the number and the name government bodies which wish to when a crisis occurs; of the recipient aid fund during the contribute emergency assistance • ensuring the traceability of contribu- transfer: to the victims of humanitarian crises ted funds. abroad, with the aim of: 1-2-00263 « Contributions des collectivités territoriales au profit de l’aide d’urgence aux victimes de crises humanitaires à l’étranger » [Contributions of local government to emergency assistance to the victims of HOW TO CONTRIBUTE humanitarian crises abroad), mentioning TO THE FDC the target country or crisis. Individuals and businesses may make their donations by: • Cheque made out to the Trésor The aid Fund FDC Public, sent to the Ministry of (Fonds de concours) Foreign Affairs and International Development, Crisis and Support Individuals and companies wishing • it ensures optimal use of the contri- e Centre, 37, quai d’Orsay, Paris VII to show solidarity with populations buted fund. Either combining them • Transfer to « FDC MAE n°12008 » affected by crises abroad can make helps finance large-scale operations Banque de France, Nantes (44) a financial contribution to the aid fund that a single donation could not Branch attached to the Emergency Humani- cover, or they add up to contribute Bank code: 30001 tarian Fund. This fund aims to finance to the accomplishment of existing Branch code: 00589 emergency assistance actions for projects; Account number: 0000M055150 victims and equipment repair and Control key: 13 reconstruction actions implemented • it ensures good allocation of the IBAN: FR06 3000 1005 8900 00M0 by NGOs. There are two advantages contributed funds and good use 5515 021 to using this aid fund: abroad, supervised by the French SWIFT (BIC): BDFERPPCCT Donors are invited to announce their donation in a letter sent to the CDCS, specifying the country or action they wish to support.

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 29 The Crisis and Support Centre

30 Stabilization Unit

The Stabilization Unit carries out actions to restore the rule of law and support civil society.

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 31 TheCentre Crisis de criseand Support et de soutien Centre

Stabilization Unit

Since late 2014, the Crisis Centre has of free and transparent elections that also been responsible for supporting produce a legitimate government, stabilization (hence its new name: supported by a redeployment of “Crisis and Support Centre”), in order services important to the rule of law to undertake reconstruction work in across the national territory. crisis and post-crisis countries. The new Stabilization Unit is made up The Crisis and Support Centre’s of nine members of staff, who coordi- Stabilization Unit works as a priority in nate actions supporting democratic countries where crises affect the func- governance and civil society in liaison tioning of the government, democratic with French embassies, international values and respect for human rights. technical experts, international organi- In these countries, the Unit provides zations and banks, NGOs, operators support right through to the holding and foundations, etc.

THE TWO MAIN AREAS OF STABILIZATION

Governance support

• Help restore public finances and ensure payment of salaries • Restore impartial, independent justice • Recreate the conditions to restore the rule of law and redeploy public services • Contribute to the restoration of security by reinforcing internal security forces and support the DDR process (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration) 1. • Support electoral processes and local government bodies

Civil society support

• Support national reconciliation and restore social cohesion • Support human rights and combat impunity • Promote the role of the media through 2. capacity-building

32 French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development 33

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Photo credits: MAEDI/Bruno Chapiron, MAEDI/Frédéric de la Mure et MAEDI/Centre de crise et de soutien, p.33: CFI, 2015 The Crisis and Support Centre

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