After the Humanitarian reform, a new era of development of the humanitarian sphere has begun. One of the most important aspects of this reform was the introduction of a new coordination scheme of UNOCHA, which is the main body of the UN humanitarian coordination. This body is responsible for the association of humanitarian organizations and ensuring a coordinated response to disasters (Coordination, n.d.). Currently, UNOCHA receives funding from the regular budget and non-budgetary contributions. In addition, the initiation of the cluster approach has been one of the most crucial introductions (What is the cluster approach, 2012). The essence of the cluster approach is in the roles played by various organizations in accordance with their competencies under the leadership of the humanitarian coordinators, to ensure the most effective humanitarian activities in all stages (Leadership, n.d.). Clusters are headed by the most active organizations in their corresponding areas. In order to understand the cluster approach better, it is necessary to analyse the activities of UNOCHA as well as its scope.
Concept of UNOCHA
The core activities of UNOCHA lie in the coordinated system-wide approach to humanitarian assistance, which is essential for fast and effective aid provision to the needy (Coordination, n.d.). UNOCHA coordinates the assistance provided by the United Nations in a humanitarian crisis that goes beyond the capacity or the mandate of a single agency. Many stakeholders tend to react instantly to complex emergencies, and OCHA works with them to facilitate a coherent framework within which they can contribute to the common aim promptly and effectively (Who we are, 2016).
In the event of an emergency, OCHA coordinates the measures taken at the international level. It consults with the relevant United Nations country team and the course of action is being determined between the related agencies. The body also serves as a command center for the humanitarian effort dedicated to an affected country (Alain, 2015). The main objectives of the organization are to assist in the mobilization of resources; organization of donor meetings and follow-up; control of the state funds received in response to the situation; issuance of reports on the state of affairs in order to inform donors and other stakeholders.
When addressing the information for humanitarian affairs, UNOCHA promotes the spread of all necessary and relevant information to the population, and all participants involved. Also, it promotes respect for humanitarian regulations and principles, and draws attention to specific issues such as access to affected populations, the humanitarian impact of sanctions, and questions related to coordination efforts. (Ali, 2016).
Clusters Range and Scope
As mentioned earlier, cluster system is a mechanism, which ensures the coordination of the humanitarian community in its response to the crisis. Clusters are defined as a number of humanitarian operations within a specific area, usually dedicated to a single overarching goal (Bisri, 2016). At the operational level, clusters are activated depending on the needs. Global Clusters can be combined or divided in a particular country to address relevant problems; they are translated from the operational to the subnational level if necessary. Clusters and groups interact with each other during councils and meetings. The most prominent agency in the area acts as a representative for every group.
An understanding of the situation must be achieved, and a strategy has to be plotted, before any course of action is allowed to be taken. Many complex problems or situations are not addressed in separate clusters as they become inter-cluster issues such as gender issues, psychosocial support and mental health, AIDS and others (Cluster coordination, 2016). Military often attends these meetings.
Effectiveness
However, it is crucial to assess the possible impact of the reform and the effectiveness of UNOCHA’s aid critically. Since the organization’s existence, there have been several cases when it reacted slowly, for instance, their response to the cholera outbreak in Angola was slow or to the forced relocation of the province of Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Moslehi, Fatemi, Mahboubi, Mozafarsaadati, & Karami, 2015). In the light of these situations, the community members began thinking whether the introduction of UNOCHA would affect aid provision to those who most desperately needed it. In northern Uganda, which was selected as a pilot country for the implementation of reforms, six months after the reforms the needs of the people for water and sanitation facilities were not fully satisfied in most districts (Moslehi et. Al., 2014). However, enough time has passed since these crisis situations, and it became clear that the new structure of coordinated clusters was efficient in its task.
Further on, it is also important to analyse the issue of coordination in its core. It should be stated that coordination mechanisms have limitations. The solution should not be in increasing and strengthening the technical measures but rather in the fact that humanitarian organizations and the international community would declare such political restrictions and then allocate responsibilities accordingly (Bisri, 2016). Moreover, the establishment of coordination structures at the national and decentralized levels should help to boost the quality of aid.
The activities of the organization are to be directed based on goodwill. The international assessment mission did not approve of the mission that followed the tsunami aftermath, and was against it, for several reasons (Oven & Rigg, 2015). They perceived that the mission was not driven by humanitarian motives, but rather by desire of spreading advertisement and propaganda, which contradicted the organization’s agenda (Oven & Rigg, 2015). At present, the organization works on improving its activities continuously. For instance, the coexistence of different clusters has helped to save the lives of thousands of children in Niger that showed that UNOCHA provides the most effective assistance. Nevertheless, it is necessary to evaluate any large-scale activity that attracts a lot of attention critically.
All participants should be eager to work jointly despite the fact that some organizations used to operate in mixed programs in which humanitarian tasks conceded to the goals related to politics and development, which led to dissatisfaction with the initial needs of the world community. In addition, the coexistence of different approaches to humanitarian aid ensures that if in one case, the approach does not give the desired result; another strategy will help to avoid serious consequences.
References
Alain, V. (2016). A theoretical framework for consolidation in humanitarian logistics. Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 6 (1), 2-23
Ali, F. (2016). Crowd-Sourced Governance in Post-Disaster Context. International & Comparative Law Quarterly, 64(1), 211-226.
Bisri, M.B.F. (2016). Comparative study on inter-organizational cooperation in disaster situations and impact on humanitarian aid operations. Springer International Publishing, 1(8), 1-14
Cluster coordination. (2016). Web.
Coordination. (n.d.). Web.
Leadership. (n.d.). Web.
Moslehi, S., Fatemi, F., Mahboubi, M., Mozafarsaadati, H., & Karami, S. (2015). The Challenges and Recommendations of Accessing to Affected Population for Humanitarian Assistance: A Narrative Review. Global Journal of Health Science, 7(3), 111-115.
Oven, K., & Rigg, J. (2015). Managing Disasters and Constructions of Risk and Vulnerability in Asia. Asian Journal of Social Science, 43(6), 685-712.
What is the cluster approach? (2012). Web.
Who we are. (2016). Web.