OCHA, Core Contribution 2015-2016

OCHA is the arm of the UN Secretariat that is responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure coherent response to emergencies. OCHA's mission is to mobilise and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disaster and emergencies; advocate for the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention; and facilitate sustainable solutions.

OCHA’s mandate is operationalized through the OCHA Strategic Framework 2014-2017, which is consistent with the Swiss programmatic framework aiming at prevention and preparedness, emergency response, reconstruction and advocacy.

The SDC Core Contribution Management (CCM) tool enables a results-oriented management of the core contribution to OCHA.

The implementation of OCHA’s Strategic Framework 2010-2013 precipitated the IASC Principals’ establishment of the Transformative Agenda to improve and speed up humanitarian response. In its role giving system-wide support, OCHA has played a key role in implementing this agenda. Its roll-out (still ongoing) has contributed to a more coordinated, effective and accountable collective response to major sudden-onset and chronic emergencies.

OCHA also achieved greater coherence among its planning, evaluation and guidance functions.

The relation with OCHA’s management had deteriorated during the course of 2013. This situation improved significantly in 2014, especially regarding the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) process. In particular, a privileged relationship with the WHS Secretariat has been developed.

Switzerland monitored the implementation of the IASC TA in the field and elaborated common messages with like-minded donors in the framework of bi-annual meetings with the Emergency Directors Group.

The collaboration on specific issues such as access, humanitarian partnerships, civil-military coordination, and environmental emergencies continued.

Field operations are strengthened through stronger coordination structures, improved humanitarian leadership and better information management.

OCHA develops stronger partnerships and supports the development of a global humanitarian system united around a shared sense of purpose.

OCHA works more closely with its development colleagues to ensure strong links between humanitarian and development work that reflect the reality of people’s experiences.

Switzerland will continue to monitor the implementation of the TA in the field and to support OCHA in its leadership role in this respect. In the same vein, support to relevant OCHA’s trainings will continue.

Switzerland will also maintain a close dialogue with the WHS Secretariat, especially in view of the WHS Global Consultation to be held in October 2015 in Geneva.

In consultation with like-minded donors, Switzerland will encourage OCHA to take concrete measures at top management level to strengthen its GVA office and the operational dialogue with UN agencies in GVA.

2013: 7 (incl. earmarked contributions)

2014: 7 (incl. earmarked contributions)

The OCHA Donor Support Group (ODSG) is composed of 27 donors. Top-5 donors are Sweden, UK, US, Norway and ECHO.

The coordination with other donors takes place in the framework of the ODSG which aims to support OCHA in fulfilling its mandated role. The ODSG members have committed themselves to providing political, as well as substantial financial support to OCHA through an annual unearmarked contribution of at least USD 500'000.

Phase 18 01.01.2015 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)