A Bridge Between Humanitarian Actors

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee is the longest-standing and highest-level humanitarian coordination forum of the UN system, bringing together the executive heads of 18 UN and non-UN organisations to ensure coherence of preparedness and response efforts, formulate policy, and agree on priorities for strengthened humanitarian action.

ICVA is a standing invitee to the IASC.

More information on the IASC can be found on their website.

Following the introduction of the revised structure of the IASC in 2019, ICVA advocated with the IASC Secretariat that in order to ensure that the policy work of the IASC responds to the reality on the ground, diversity in OPAG membership is crucial. ICVA enabled the inclusion of local and national NGOs in IASC coordination structures, notably the OPAG and the Results Groups, for the first time after years of advocating for inclusion of national NGOs in the IASC architecture.

The guidelines set out essential actions that humanitarian actors must take in order to effectively identify and respond to the needs and rights of persons with disabilities who are most at risk of being left behind in humanitarian settings.

Against the current background of sustaining local responses, ICVA initiated this research aiming at mapping and documenting the extent of effective and meaningful NNGOs engagement in international humanitarian coordination structures. Focusing in specific at MENA region, the research explores NNGOs engagement in Humanitarian Country Teams (HCTs), Country-Based Pooled Fund (CBPF) Advisory Boards, and sector or cluster coordination platforms. The contexts covered are Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, the occupied Palestinian territories, Syria (Damascus and Turkey-based operations as well as the Whole of Syria response), and Yemen. Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative data, this research briefly profiles national leadership within the seven responses across MENA and outlines the state of NNGO engagement across the region.

Following the introduction of the revised structure of the IASC in 2019, ICVA advocated with the IASC Secretariat that in order to ensure that the policy work of the IASC responds to the reality on the ground, diversity in OPAG membership is crucial. ICVA enabled the inclusion of local and national NGOs in IASC coordination structures, notably the OPAG and the Results Groups, for the first time after years of advocating for inclusion of national NGOs in the IASC architecture.

The COVID-19 Global HRP is a comprehensive inter-agency response plan that aggregates and updates relevant existing humanitarian appeals from UN and non-UN entities, including WFP, WHO, IOM, UNDP, UN-Habitat, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF and taking into consideration the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It also integrates inputs from the humanitarian NGO community that has also captured the perspectives of local organizations. The Plan focuses on preparedness and response to the initial immediate and urgent health and non-health needs and response to the pandemic, including to secure supply chains and humanitarian personnel mobility. It does not attempt to deal with secondary or tertiary issues related to macroeconomic effects or more longer-term requirements in various sectors

NGO Open Letter calling on States to step up multilateral efforts and lead a truly global response. It is in our common interest to ensure that priority in access to vaccine at a global level is given to those at a higher risk of infection and/or developing serious disease. Other priority considerations at national and global level will be counterproductive, leading to a perpetual spiral of new, vaccine-resistant variants of the virus.

As new waves of COVID-19 break out around the world, some countries have now procured COVID19 vaccines. However, they remain in acute short supply. In these circumstances, it is important that NGOs consider duty of care elements for their staff – particularly those working on the frontlines or in areas where the epidemiological curve is highest.

The COVID-19 Global HRP is a comprehensive inter-agency response plan that aggregates and updates relevant existing humanitarian appeals from UN and non-UN entities, including WFP, WHO, IOM, UNDP, UN-Habitat, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF and taking into consideration the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It also integrates inputs from the humanitarian NGO community that has also captured the perspectives of local organizations. The Plan focuses on preparedness and response to the initial immediate and urgent health and non-health needs and response to the pandemic, including to secure supply chains and humanitarian personnel mobility. It does not attempt to deal with secondary or tertiary issues related to macroeconomic effects or more longer-term requirements in various sectors

Global Narrative Report Global Report – Final (1st June 2020 – 31st December 2020) of project – Strengthening in-country NGO Fora to promote enhanced NGO collective action at field level during the COVID-19 Response

This project supported 12 in-country NGO Fora (including mainly national, but also mixed and International NGO Fora) in contexts experiencing humanitarian crises along side the pandemic. The project was designed with consultation with NGO fora active in four regions covered by ICVA to support during the COVID 19 pandemic to understand the challenges and role NGO For a in the humanitarian coordination architecture

Concept note for ICVA’s NGO fora exchange programme. This programme provides the national and local NGOs Fora with learning opportunities to the work and activity of structured and performing fora in a form of learning exchange programme.

This guide was developed under ICVA’s NGO Fora Support Programme. It presents good practice and key considerations for NGO coordination fora seeking to achieve active and sustained member engagement. Whilst the guide is not definitive, it outlines a variety of considerations to inform member engagement work and is relevant to NGO fora of any size or scale.

The guide provides an overview of NGO fora components alongside basic considerations for member engagement and a detailed overview of member engagement good practices across a range of fora activities and processes.

Click on the below links to read the guide in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

This guide was developed under ICVA’s NGO Fora Support Programme. It presents good practice and key considerations for NGO coordination fora seeking to achieve active and sustained member engagement. Whilst the guide is not definitive, it outlines a variety of considerations to inform member engagement work and is relevant to NGO fora of any size or scale.

The guide provides an overview of NGO fora components alongside basic considerations for member engagement and a detailed overview of member engagement good practices across a range of fora activities and processes.

Click on the below links to read the guide in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.