Emergency Capacities of Non Governmental Organisations
In recent years many of UNHCR's operational partners have taken steps to develop or enhance their emergency preparedness and response capacities. These are essential elements in complementing UNHCR's response to refugee emergencies, since traditionally, UNHCR relies on non governmental organizations to implement, on its behalf, activities in support of refugees. It is important that these resources are known and called upon when needed. In order to do this effectively, UNHCR has, since mid 1996, established a data base which captures the emergency capacity of important NGOs which work in refugee programmes. The database identifies standby capacities in the following sectors and holds data on agency policy, financial resources for emergencies, human resources stand-by capacity and material stockpiles.
Community Services
Domestic needs
Economic activities
Education
Environmental sanitation
Food
Health/Nutrition
Management
Shelter
Site Planning and Civil Works
Transport/Logistics
Water
On the basis of this data base, UNHCR is able to immediately determine the capacities of NGOs and call on them to cooperate with UNHCR in emergency response for refugee programmes.
How to request
In emergencies, Field Offices or Emergency Response Teams may advise Headquarters of operational needs to be filled by NGOs. The data base will provide options. Where there is no ERT and country operations have particular gaps or needs, the Office of the NGO Coordinator should be contacted and given details for follow-up.
Standby Arrangement for Trucks and Aircraft (EMERCOM of Russia)
Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed with EMERCOM of Russia (State Committee of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and the Elimination of the Consequences of Natural Disasters) UNHCR is provided with priority access to airlift capacity and a trucking fleet maintained by EMERCOM on a standby basis. These standby capacities include the following:
- Two airfreighters IL-76 TD with a payload of 40 tonnes and cargo hull dimensions of 20 x 3.4 x 3.4 metres.
- At least 15 x 10 metric tonne (6 x 6 or 6 x 4) trucks (Kamaz type) accompanied by fuel tanker, mobile workshop, escort vehicles and personnel (drivers and coordinators) to man the fleet during the initial emergency phase and until such time as local capacities can be trained to take over the operation of the fleet.
The resources can be deployed within 72 hours of receipt of a written request from UNHCR. The maintenance of these capacities on a standby basis is provided at no cost to UNHCR, but the cost of deployment is charged to the relevant programme.
How to request
The Desk should consult with EPRS and STS on the appropriateness of the EMERCOM capacities for the specific needs of the operation. Once its deployment is agreed, EPRS will be the focal point for contact between EMERCOM and UNHCR. UNHCR will advise EMERCOM in writing (copied simultaneously to the Government of the Russian Federation through the mission in Geneva) of the type of the emergency operation, location, duration, type and quantity of EMERCOM services, equipment and personnel as well as the technical specifications of any special equipment required. At the time of deployment a "Sub-Agreement" will be signed between EMERCOM and the relevant Regional Bureau which incorporates the actual services to be rendered by EMERCOM and the costs to be borne by UNHCR.
