Pacific Humanitarian Team Overview

1. Pacific Humanitarian Team Overview Pacific Humanitarian Team 8 October 2010 United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

2. Key Mile Stones • 2005 Humanitarian Reform • 2007 Solomon Islands Tsunami • 2008 PHT & Pacific clusters agreed • 2009 Cyclone season, Tonga/Samoa Tsunami, IA Contingency Planning • 2009 2nd PHT regional meeting • 2010 Cyclone season, Inter-Agency Cont. planning, cluster work

3. PACIFIC HUMANITARIAN TEAM (PHT) • Composed of all regional humanitarian response organizations, including UN, NGOs, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, donors • organized around humanitarian “clusters” • Chaired by UN Resident Coordinator

4. CLUSTER APPROACH WHAT IS IT? • A global model for coordinating international humanitarian assistance • “Clusters” are made up of organizations and other stakeholders working in a specific humanitarian field of work • Each cluster is lead by an agency as agreed by the PHT

5. PACIFIC CLUSTERS & LEAD AGENCIES Seven clusters exist in the Pacific region and can be rolled out in affected countries immediately if needed Inter-ClusterCoordination

6. PACIFIC HUMANITARIAN TEAM • 791 People • 149 different organizations (165 including national govts) • 7 clusters • Based in 27 countries • Covering 15 Pacific Island countries Inter-ClusterCoordination

7. Emergencies & PHT Response 2008-2010 • High Sea Swells: RMI, FSM, Solomon Islands (Dec 08) • Fiji Floods (Jan 09) • Guadalcanal floods (Feb 09) • Ambrym Volcano and Flood (Apr 09) • Samoa & Tonga Tsunami (Sep/Oct 09) • TC Mick in Fiji (Dec 09) • Gaua Volcano (Dec 09 – ongoing) • Rendova Tsunami - Solomon Islands (Jan 10) • TC Pat in Aitutaki – Cooks (Feb 10) • TC Tomas in Fiji (Mar 10) • TC Ului in Solomon Islands (Mar 10)

8. Inter-Agency Contingency Planning • Solomon Islands (March 09) • Samoa (April 09) • Vanuatu (September 09) • Gaua Volcano (March 10) • Cook Islands (May 10) • Tonga (September 10)

9. Cluster Activities – update 2010 • Emergency Shelter: • activities to take off from 2010 PHT meeting • WASH: • mapping of key actors, govt counterparts and pre-positioned supplies • Harmonizing WASH Coalition and WASH Cluster • Increased coordinated response (Fiji) • WASH workshop postponed to May 2011 • Protection: • workshops in Samoa, Fiji and Vanuatu to raise awareness on human rights of disaster affected persons and integration into DM • Pacific Protection Toolkit • Logistics: • WFP expanded logistics cluster activities into the Pacific. LCAs for PNG, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. Log cluster support cell established in Malaysia • Preparedness activities to take off in 2011

10. Cluster Activities – update 2010 • Emergency education: • support focused on support to MoEd. to develop emergency education plans • Health: • coordinated response TC Tomas in Fiji • Volcano affected communities in Vanuatu • Training • Coordinates closely with WASH • More focus on mental health and PS support (MHPSS) • Early Recovery: • UNDP expanding (coordination) activities in ER (Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji) • Using PHT 2010 as guidance

11. Identified key issues for PHT • Clarification of roles and responsibilities in PHT • More involvement Pacific Island countries • Investment in preparedness and contingency planning, particularly by clusters • Cluster lead agencies invest in lead/coordination role • Cluster planning and response with in-country counterparts • Agreed standards in and among clusters in key humanitarian areas (Health/Nutrition, WASH, Shelter, Logistics, Protection, ER) • Information management, particularly baseline datasets and joint assessments, analysis and information sharing • Inclusive coordination mechanisms (regional and national level), particularly for cluster leads, OCHA, NDMOs

12. Identified Key Issues NDMOs • Leadership development (general management, strategic policy development, financial management) • Resource mobilization, international donor and partner liaison • Partnership building and Coordination of resources, in-country stakeholders, programs • Information Management: • Improve access to more accurate baseline data and information to support DM, DRR and CCA • Assessments • Information technology and competence • New mechanisms to support institutional strengthening and capacity building to NDMOs, other key national agencies, civil society and private sector • Developing SOPs, simulation exercises

13. NDMO reflections on PHT • Cluster approach useful for countries, especially when it is flexible and links with national DM arrangements • Can mobilize external support quickly • Allows coordination of external/donor resources • Supportive to line ministries to identify and formulate humanitarian needs and response together • Link up with community based organizations to provide support and tap into local knowledge (via NDMOs) • PHT has to agree on standards and what is relevant relief for PICs • Focus on response – early recovery to come into the picture • Clusters can support preparedness actions and capacity building (sector and cross-cutting)

14. Questions so far?

15. Clarifying the PHT: TORs • A swift emergency response requires that clearly defined roles and responsibilities are commonly understood and accepted. • Each decision-making body needs to understand their specific role in the chronology of a crisis response, and these decision points need to be made explicit to all major stakeholders.

16. Clarifying the PHT: TORs (Cont’d) 3 decision-making bodies of the PHT and their responsibilities and functions. They are: • The PHT Heads of OrganisationsGroup (HOO) • The PHT Inter-cluster Coordination Group (ICCG) • The PHT Clusters

17. PHT Clusters PHT • Chair: UN Resident coordinators • Members: Cluster Leads • Members: Heads of key humanitarian organizations active in the Pacific • Agrees on common policies and strategic response • Reviews and approve Preparedness and Response plans • Promotes adherence to principles, guidelines and policies Heads of Organisations Group • Chair: OCHA • Members: Cluster Leads • Leads inter-agency Preparedness and Response planning • Maintains overview of response and gaps • Ensures cross-cutting issues are reflected in cluster plans • Coordinates inter-agency multi-sector assessments • Monitors cluster performance PHT Inter-Cluster Coordination Group • Chair: Cluster Lead • Members: Humanitarian practitioners based on sector of activity • Maintains sectoral coordination mechanisms at regional, national and sub-national levels • Secures commitments from humanitarian partners in responding to needs and filling gaps • Ensures appropriate coordination and information exchange regarding sectoral activities with national and local authorities • Ensures cluster members identify and address distinct needs of women, girls, boys and men and identifiable vulnerable groups Clusters (7 Pacific Clusters)

18. PHT Clusters Role • Ensure coordination among organisations working in a specific sector Composition • Each cluster is lead (convened) by an agency as agreed by the PHT • Cluster members are self-selecting – cluster lead agencies are required to ensure the cluster is comprehensive Interface with other coordination mechanisms • E.g. country coordination, FRANZ • During an emergency response, government counterpart become part of the cluster

19. Responsibilities • Respond jointly • Commonly identify needs (assessments) • Develop appropriate strategic response plans with shared objectives addressing gender and other differentiated needs • Application of standards • Joint advocacy and resource mobilization • Coordinate amongst themselves & with national authorities in order to avoid gaps and duplications and ensure quality of humanitarian assistance

20. PHT Heads of Organisations Group PHT • Chair: UN Resident Coordinators • Members: Heads of key humanitarian organizations active in the Pacific • Agrees on common policies and strategic response • Reviews and approve Preparedness and Response plans • Promotes adherence to principles, guidelines and policies Heads of Organisations Group • Chair: OCHA • Members: Cluster Leads • Leads inter-agency Preparedness and Response planning • Maintains overview of response and gaps • Ensures cross-cutting issues are reflected in cluster plans • Coordinates inter-agency multi-sector assessments • Monitors cluster performance PHT Inter-Cluster Coordination Group • Chair: Cluster Lead • Members: Humanitarian practitioners based on sector of activity • Maintains sectoral coordination mechanisms at regional, national and sub-national levels • Secures commitments from humanitarian partners in responding to needs and filling gaps • Ensures appropriate coordination and information exchange regarding sectoral activities with national and local authorities • Ensures cluster members identify and address distinct needs of women, girls, boys and men and identifiable vulnerable groups Clusters (7 Pacific Clusters)

21. PHT Heads of Organisations Group Role • A body to provide strategic guidance and oversight for humanitarian action in the region Timing • The PHT HoO will meet within 12 hours of an event; in order to develop a common operating picture and centralise decision-making, particularly by determining the likely level of the humanitarian response.

22. Composition • Composed of heads/ highest level representatives of the key organizations • Cluster coordinators • Relevant donor agencies will be invited of the discretion of the RC or OCHA. • Decisions made in PHT Leaders meetings will be followed-up by the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group members. During an emergency response: • High-level representatives from the affected Government will be invited to attend

23. Responsibilities • Strategic guidance and oversight for humanitarian action, including setting common objectives and priorities (humanitarian action plans) and resource mobilization in both preparedness and response phases. • During an emergency, the PHT HoO decides which clusters will be activated, and which human and/or financial resources need to be mobilised • Provides guidance to cluster lead agencies and developing solutions to strategic problems coming out of the PHT Inter-Cluster Coordination Group or specific clusters. • Advocating adherence by responding humanitarian organizations and national governments to humanitarian principles

24. PHT Inter-Cluster Coordination Group PHT • Chair: UN Resident Coordinators • Members: Cluster Leads • Members: Heads of key humanitarian organizations active in the Pacific • Agrees on common policies and strategic response • Reviews and approve Preparedness and Response plans • Promotes adherence to principles, guidelines and policies Heads of Organisations Group • Chair: OCHA • Members: Cluster Leads • Leads inter-agency Preparedness and Response planning • Maintains overview of response and gaps • Ensures cross-cutting issues are reflected in cluster plans • Coordinates inter-agency multi-sector assessments • Monitors cluster performance PHT Inter-Cluster Coordination Group • Chair: Cluster Lead • Members: Humanitarian practitioners based on sector of activity • Maintains sectoral coordination mechanisms at regional, national and sub-national levels • Secures commitments from humanitarian partners in responding to needs and filling gaps • Ensures appropriate coordination and information exchange regarding sectoral activities with national and local authorities • Ensures cluster members identify and address distinct needs of women, girls, boys and men and identifiable vulnerable groups Clusters (7 Pacific Clusters)

25. PHT Inter-Cluster Coordination Group Role • The PHT-ICCG ensures that the strategic priorities agreed to by the PHT Leaders group inform the operational decision-making of the response Timing • 12 – 24 hours after event and further. • The PHT ICCG will meet as soon as practicable after the PHT leaders meeting to ensure key messages are conveyed to cluster members and response activities are coordinated.

26. Composition • Cluster leads and focal points for cross-cutting issues (e.g. gender) • In response, relevant country counterparts and relevant other (in-country) coordination mechanisms • Donors and other organizations whenever relevant • Chaired by OCHA

27. Responsibilities Develop clearly articulated cross-sectoral humanitarian response plans based on shared analysis Ensure resources are appropriately prioritized across clusters Ensure gaps and duplications are avoided Ensure perspectives & needs of women, men, and members of disadvantaged groups are equally addressed in all sectors

28. PHT Bodies: Roles and Responsibilities Strategy, Resource mobilization Operationalization,Coordination across sectors Coordination withintechnical sector of activity Activities PHT Heads of Organizations PHT Inter-cluster Coordination Chair:Resident Coordinator Chair:OCHA Heads of Organizations Cluster Leads Health and Nutrition Cluster Health and Nutrition UN agencies WASH Key NGOs Chair:WHO and UNICEF Shelter and Camp Management Red Cross mvt Cluster representatives LogisticsCluster IFRC Logistics Donors Protection Chair:WFP UNICEFHealth & NutritionProjects WHO Early Recovery During disaster response: National Government Rep. (Min of Foreign Affairs) UNICEF Cluster representatives Emergency Education World Vision Donors ADRA Red Crossactivities inHealth & Nutritionsector WFP During disaster response: National Government Rep. (National Disaster Management Office) OXFAM IOM Red Cross mvt WHO Etc… Red Cross mvt During disaster response: National Government Rep. (Min. of Health) National Capacities World Vision Etc..

29. Objective • Finalise and endorse TORs • Formal agreement with which we can request ERC/IASC to formally recognize the “open ended” cluster approach in the Pacific • Allow global support in disaster preparedness and response for the clusters, etc.

30. Group work • Discuss the 3 TORs in small groups • Identify issues for clarification, change, objections • Discuss 20 mins • Feedback in plenary