Understanding UNICEF's Humanitarian Action

1. SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION TO HUMANITARIAN ACTION

2. AT THE END OF SESSION 1 YOU SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH: What guides UNICEF’s humanitarian action Characteristics and challenges posed by complex emergencies UNICEF’s and inter-agency approach to protection Link between protection, assistance and advocacy, and the need to integrate and apply these concepts in humanitarian action UNICEF 2

3. WHY DOES UNICEF WORK IN CRISES SITUATIONS? UN Charter CRC (article 38) UNICEF Mission Statement UNICEF Core Commitments for Children UNICEF Anti-War Agenda UNICEF 3

4. UNICEF’S ANTI WAR AGENDA 7 POINTS • End use of children as soldiers • Increased protection for humanitarian assistance and personnel • Humanitarian landmine action • Protection of children from the effects of sanctions • Inclusion of children in peace building • End to the impunity of war crimes against children • Early warning/preventive action in support of children UNICEF 4

6. DEFINITION OF COMPLEX EMERGENCY UNICEF defines a complex emergency as: "A humanitarian crisis in a country, region or society where there is a significant or total breakdown of authority resulting from internal or external conflict and which requires an international response that extends beyond the mandate or capacity of any single agency. In complex emergencies, children and women may also need legal and physical protection to prevent harm and ensure their access to humanitarian assistance" (Programme, Policies and Procedures Manual glossary) 6 UNICEF

7. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPLEX EMERGENCIES Multi-causality Multi-sectoral response Based on civil conflicts Humanitarian Access Lack of authority and security Flagrant violations of human rights and massive displacement Disruption of infra-structure and economic system Prolonged and protracted 7 UNICEF

9. DEFINITION: EMERGENCY UNICEF defines anemergencyas: “…a situation which threatens the lives and well being of largenumbers of a populationand in whichextraordinary actionis required toensure their survival, care and protection. Emergencies may be created by natural or technological disasters, epidemics, orconflicts” PPP Manual Glossary 9 UNICEF

10. THE NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK LEGAL OTHER STANDARDS ETHICAL 10 UNICEF

11. UNICEF’S HUMAN RIGHTS BASED APPROACH TO PROGRAMMING All programmes focused on realisation of rights of girls, boys and women Human rights and child rights principles guide programming in all phases and sectors Capacity development of duty bearers to meet obligations to respect, protect and fulfil rights; and rights holders to claim fully their rights UNICEF 11

12. MISCONCEPTION “I can’t talk about human rights now, I have an emergency to deal with!” Assistance without protection from attack, persecution and other human rights violations is not enough when human rights violations become a strategy of war UNICEF 12

13. DEFINITION OFPROTECTION All activities aimed at ensuring respect and fulfillment of human rights, as expressed in international human rights and humanitarian law All activities must be conducted in accordance with universally accepted humanitarian principles UNICEF 13

14. All activities aimed at ensuring protection of children from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect. Violation of a child’s right to protection is a violation of human rights and a significant barrier to child survival and physical/mental development. All activities aimed at ensuring respect and fulfillment of human rights, as expressed in international human rights and humanitarian law. All activities must be conducted in accordance with universally accepted humanitarian principles. IASC Definition of Protection UNICEF’s Definition of Child Protection UNICEF 14

15. STRATEGICPROTECTION EGG Environment Building Action Remedial Action Responsive Action 15 UNICEF

16. RESPONSIVE ACTION Activities which seek to address the immediate effects of a specific human rights violation or pattern of abuse Although short term in perspective, these actions should include preventive action UNICEF 16

17. REMEDIAL ACTION Activities which seek to restore people’s human dignity and ensure adequate living conditions subsequent to a pattern of abuse Medium-term activities such as programmes for rehabilitation, restitution, compensation and reparation UNICEF 17

18. ENVIRONMENT BUILDING ACTION Activities which seek to create an environment conducive to full respect for human rights Long-term activities such as initiating new legislation and training enforcement officials UNICEF 18

19. HUMANITARIAN ACCESS International law (GC IV/AP I and II) provides that States have primary responsibility for ensuring that all civilians in their care receive necessary humanitarian assistance and protection GA/57 (I) that created UNICEF states..the Fund…with Government agreement…shall take such measures as deemed appropriate to bring emergency assistance to children and their families in war ravaged countries UNICEF 19

20. KEY MESSAGES UNICEF has an important role in protecting children’s rights in emergencies Complex emergencies pose specific challenges to humanitarian actors, including the denial of humanitarian access, presence of NSEs, and human rights abuse Protection = all activities aimed at ensuring respectand fulfillment of human rights. For UNICEF, child protection means protection from violence, abuse and exploitation Protection, assistance and advocacy are the key components of rights-based humanitarian action UNICEF’s humanitarian action is guided by the CCCs UNICEF 20