Government Service Packages
In a number of major emergencies, Government Service Packages (GSPs) of some form were used: Coalition forces in the Kurdish Operation, Sarajevo airlift in Former Yugoslavia and various governments in selected sectors for the Rwandese influx. It was during this last operation that the concept was recognised as an exceptional response to complex emergencies and Governments requested UNHCR to take note of the lessons learned and pursue the development of what then became known as GSPs.
The concept assumes that GSPs are:
- A last resort in exceptionally large emergencies
- Use of military or civil defence assets
- Do not replace the traditional response capacity of NGOs
- Applicable to selected sectors only, where government assets are necessary
- Normally beyond the capacity of usual funding arrangements and thus seen as extra-budgetary donations in kind
- Self contained in terms of mobilization and operation
- Limited in duration of deployment and thus rapidly replaced by more cost effective arrangements
UNHCR developed 20 GSPs:
Air Operations Cell
Strategic Airlift
Theatre Airlift
Airport Ground Handling
Warehousing/Storekeeping
Road Transport
Field Hospital
Hydrological Survey
Water Tanker Operation
Surface Water
Borehole Drilling
Water Treatment
Water Distribution
Water Storage
Latrine Construction
Vector Control
Solid Waste Management
Waste Water Systems
Site Development
Road Construction
How to request
It will normally be clear at the Headquarters level that an emergency is of a magnitude that requires the mobilization of GSPs. The Desk will contact EPRS and request that the mobilization procedure commence. In coordination with UNOCHA, donor Governments will first be alerted and asked if they are willing to provide packages. Subsequently, as the requirements become more clear, implementation, sometimes commencing with a needs assessment mission, will begin. Any direct contact between UNHCR and the Missions will be handled by Donor Relations and Resource Service Mobilization in consultation with EPRS and in liaison with UNOCHA.
NOTE: Meanwhile UNOCHA established the Military and Civil Defence Unit (MCDU) which has expanded the list of GSPs (which are called Government Service Modules) and these are to be available for all agencies. They include the 20 GSPs listed above. The maintenance of GSPs will be the responsibility of UNHCR or the most appropriate lead agency, while coordination will rest with UNOCHA.
