GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Government agencies play a vital role in disaster response, providing immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation to survivors. In addition, the public sector can be key to disaster preparedness by finding effective strategies to prevent emergencies from arising. The agencies below include a variety of contacts involved with disaster response and preparedness.
United Nations Resources:
- United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
OCHA organizes the UN international response to humanitarian crises, including coordination between governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and UN agencies to ensure a coherent framework where each entity contributes promptly and effectively to the overall effort.
- Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
CERF is a pooled fund managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs providing timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts.
- Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
UNHCR leads and coordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide.
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
In emergencies, UNICEF works alongside other relief agencies to help re-establish basic services such as access to water and sanitation, schools, and provide immunization services, medicines, and other supplies to uprooted populations.
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
UNDP is responsible for coordinating relief and rehabilitation activities on the ground for natural disaster mitigation, prevention, and preparedness. UNDP also operates the Corporate Partnership in Emergencies (COPE) initiative aimed at facilitating contributions from the private sector to UNDP's relief and recovery programs in communities hit by natural disaster.
- World Food Programme (WFP)
The WFP delivers food aid to people during humanitarian crises.
- International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
This organization works to build more disaster-resilient communities in order to reduce human, social, economic, and environmental losses as a result of natural hazards and related technological and environmental disasters.
U.S. Government Resources:
- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Within USAID, the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) responds to natural disasters by providing emergency assistance and funding mitigation activities to reduce the impact of recurrent natural hazards. OFDA also provides training to build local capacity for disaster management and response.
- Global Development Alliance (GDA)
GDA is a USAID initiative that brings together public-private alliances to stimulate economic growth, develop businesses and workforces, address health and environmental issues, expand access to education and technology, and work towards enhancing private sector engagement in disaster assistance.
Other Government Agencies:
- International Organization for Migration (IOM)
IOM is the lead organization within the UN Cluster Approach system for Camp Management during natural disasters. IOM provides emergency humanitarian disaster response assistance, transportation services (for both conflict-related and natural disasters), manages health issues related to migration, and conducts reconstruction and demobilization projects in post-emergency areas.
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