OCHA, Core Contribution 2017-2018

• OCHA is the arm of the UN Secretariat that is responsible for the coordination of the UN emergency response system. The mandate of OCHA is derived from UN General Assembly Resolution 46/182.
• OCHA’s mission is to mobilise and coordinate effective humanitarian emergency assistance of the United Nations in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies. It is responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent and timely response t emergencies.

• Switzerland strategic priorities are in line with OCHA’s 2014-2017 Strategic Framework.
• SDC aims to support OCHA in delivering its core functions in humanitarian cooordination, advocacy, information management, humanitarian financing and policy development. 
• SDC seeks to provide support to OCHA at HQ as well as field level in relevant humanitarian contexts, in line with its geographic and thematic priorities.
• The SDC Core Contribution Management (CCM) tool enables a results-oriented management of the core contribution to OCHA.

• In 2015, OCHA continued to enhance its efforts to support principled, effective and timely humanitarian response through strategic coordination, advocacy, policy, information management and humanitarian financing services, notably in five level-three (L3) emergencies
• OCHA’s leadership in the field has been strengthened over the past year, through better selection and training of Humanitarian Coordinators (HCs)
• OCHA’s strategic management of pooled funding mechanisms (CERF and CBPFs) remained instrumental in responding to the most urgent needs
• OCHA contributed to enhance inter-cluster coordination at field level by reinforcing the critical link between clusters and the HCT.
• Through coordination mechanisms such as INSARAG, UNDAC or CMCoord, OCHA continued to empower regional and national actors with knowledge-transfer and capacity building
• To strengthen accountability and better assess the humanitarian response, OCHA implemented performance monitoring frameworks in 16 countries
• By organizing and facilitating both the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week and the Global Humanitarian Policy Forum, OCHA contributed to the recognition of the growing need to work together and across networks
• OCHA kept to make wide use of its surge rosters(ERR, ASP, SBPP)  to respond to new and escalating emergencies in 2015.

• In terms of humanitarian leadership capacity, Switzerland kept supporting capacity development and training among OCHA key management staff, such as the annual Humanitarian Coordinators Retreat (HC) and providing support and expertise to units of strategic importance at OCHA’s headquarters (such as the Emergency Services Branch and the Programme Support Branch).
• Switzerland was actively engaged in the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) process, hosting the WHS Global Consultation in October 2015, and took an active part in the Summit itself in Istanbul in spring 2016
• Switzerland also played a key role in the ODSG consultations on OCHA’s Functional Review and the sub­sequent Change Management Process launched by the ERC, as a member of the troika.
• Switzerland actively supported the organization of the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships week (HNPW) in GE in Feb. 2015 and 2016, both financially and through its technical inputs and guidance on the content of the different sessions.
• Manuel Bessler continued to chair the CERF Advisory Group in persona as well as the INSARAG global Steering Group.

• OCHA maintains its efforts towards a more effective and principled humanitarian action that meets the needs of affected people and contributes further to establishing a more diverse, flexible and adaptable humanitarian sector
• OCHA must be in a position to better and more effectively deliver on its mandate received from GA Resolution 46/182.
• In line with FR recommendations, OCHA must concentrate on its core mandate and functions
• OCHA must reinforce its HQ functions in Geneva to take part in key policy and operational discussions happening there
• OCHA works more closely development partners to ensure strong links and a continuum between humanitarian and development work that enable people to improve their living conditions in a sustainable way

• Switzerland strategically influences OCHA’s Change Management process and ensures OCHA implements the related Functional Review recommendations,
• Switzerland ensures OCHA formulates a clear strategic vision and priorities for the future, while focusing on its core mandate.
• Switzerland supports OCHA in establishing a more effective and strategic presence in Geneva.
• Switzerland further strengthens its relationship with the new OCHA leadership and advocates for the appointment of a second ASG in Geneva
• Switzerland ensures senior management takes  steps to work in a unified and coherent way
• Switzerland supports OCHA and other partners in the organisation of the Humanitarian Networks and Partnership Week, emphasizing commonalities between the networks and strengthening the “operational hub” in Geneva.
• Switzerland keeps a critical but constructive role in the follow-up of the WHS, with a focus on the implementation of Swiss commitments and priority themes (protection, coordination and nexus)
• Switzerland maintains a strong role in humanitarian financing and the related Grand Bargain process.
• Switzerland ensures OCHA defines a realistic and sustainable budget for 2017 and beyond

9 out of 41

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

OCHA receives contributions from a total of 41 Member states.

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 19 01.01.2017 - 31.12.2017   (Completed)