U.S. Agency for International Development

1. U.S. Agency for International Development Pic: Hurricane Mitch, VenezuelaPic: Hurricane Mitch, Venezuela

2. Responsible for the coordination of USG response to international disasters OFDA�s mission is to: Save lives Alleviate suffering of disaster victims Reduce the economic impact of the disaster Support prevention/mitigation/preparedness activities OFDA�s Mission

3. Origin Of OFDA Authorities Foreign Assistance Act - Section 491/492 USAID Administrator - President�s Special Coordinator for International Disaster Response Administrator chairs IWG on international disaster relief USAID is focal point for inter-agency deliberations on international disaster assistance OFDA has responsibility for disaster relief operations Notwithstanding authority �Borrowing� authority Special hiring authorities Cooperating partners: Other Federal agencies local governments NGOs/IOs/UN OFDA has responsibility for disaster relief operations Notwithstanding authority �Borrowing� authority Special hiring authorities Cooperating partners: Other Federal agencies local governments NGOs/IOs/UN

4. Disaster Occurs US Government (through OFDA) may respond if: Beyond the ability of the affected country to respond Affected country requests (or will accept) outside assistance In the interest of the US Government By Ambassador or Chief of Mission Asst Secretary of State for the affected area or region (e.g. Somalia, northern Iraq) By Ambassador or Chief of Mission Asst Secretary of State for the affected area or region (e.g. Somalia, northern Iraq)

5. OFDA Response Options Deploy Regional Advisors Deploy Assessment Teams Fund NGO/IO/UN directly or provide funds through Embassy/USAID Mission Provide OFDA disaster relief commodities Deploy a Disaster Assistance Response /Ground Operations Teams (DART/GO) Depending on the level of response, OFDA may�.Depending on the level of response, OFDA may�.

6. OFDA�s Strategy in the AOR Enhance the capacity of countries and regional organizations to respond to disasters Enhance regional and national institutional capacity in risk management, improved monitoring and planning for potential crises and strengthening linkages between disaster management and development initiatives/policies Enhance the capacity of countries and regional organizations to respond to disasters Enhance regional and national institutional capacity in risk management, improved monitoring and planning for potential crises and strengthening linkages between disaster management and development initiatives/policies

7. OFDA/LAC Implementation Plan Reduce dependency on international assistance Provide technical assistance to help strengthen the capacity of permanent national disaster organizations Continue implementation of the Risk Management Training Program Continue working with national and regional organizations Maintain OFDA readiness to rapidly respond to disasters in the region Reduce dependency on international assistance by complementing the relief activities of national and regional authorities Provide technical assistance to help strengthen the capacity of permanent national disaster organizations and national and regional risk management entities Continue implementation of the Risk Management Training Program to train national and regional professionals and risk management practitioners Continue working with national and regional organizations to standardize the methodology, terminology and format for post-disaster needs assessments in the LAC region Maintain OFDA readiness to rapidly respond to disasters in the regionReduce dependency on international assistance by complementing the relief activities of national and regional authorities Provide technical assistance to help strengthen the capacity of permanent national disaster organizations and national and regional risk management entities Continue implementation of the Risk Management Training Program to train national and regional professionals and risk management practitioners Continue working with national and regional organizations to standardize the methodology, terminology and format for post-disaster needs assessments in the LAC region Maintain OFDA readiness to rapidly respond to disasters in the region

8. SOUTHCOM has a proactive role in disaster response Assumption that disasters and complex humanitarian emergencies will continue to happen and the US military will continue to play an important part in them Acknowledged need to create greater synergy between civilian and military functions during an emergency US intervention or participation in these situations will increasingly be viewed as consistent with our national interests

9. OFDA�s Strategy for Improved Coordination Picture: Hurricane Mitch-GuatamalaPicture: Hurricane Mitch-Guatamala

10. Military Liaison Working Methodology Identify and understand the linkages between military and OFDA activities and the potential affect of those activities on OFDA operations Informing and educating OFDA staff on what influences these military activities may have on divisional portfolio activities Pic-VenezuelaPic-Venezuela

11. Continuous Liaison Continuously cultivate a relationship between USAID/BHR/OFDA and the appropriate military counterparts Create a better understanding within the military of OFDA and the humanitarian relief community�s mission Develop communication structures and institutional relationships to allow both OFDA and the military to effectively work together during joint HA/DR operations Why is �continuous liaison� so important? High rate of military turnover and need to constantly be reeducating cycled personnel about HAO and disaster response so that our institutional relationship is not just personality driven but has a foothold in the organization.Why is �continuous liaison� so important? High rate of military turnover and need to constantly be reeducating cycled personnel about HAO and disaster response so that our institutional relationship is not just personality driven but has a foothold in the organization.

12. Coordination Challenges Communication between different corporate cultures Defining roles and responsibilities (who is in charge?) End state unclear Various actors with often times competing goals Linking political strategies to field operations Change of personnel Interagency planning Differing philosophies on relief operations

13. PREVIOUS DART DEPLOYMENTS WITH JTF OPERATIONS N. Iraq - Provide Comfort Somalia - Provide Relief and Restore Hope Rwanda - Support Hope Haiti - Uphold Democracy Also worked with JTFs in: Nairobi, Kenya Bombing Central America -Hurricane Mitch - Strong Support The Balkans (Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo) Turkey - Avid Response Mozambique - Atlas Response

14. The need for a clear strategy is essential to a successful operation Effective military action requires a long-term understanding of the situation and of the impact of short-term actions Transition to a purely civilian effort should be planned from the start Civil-Military relations, however disparate, must be based on mutual support, respect, and open collaboration Lessons Learned