ICVA Bulletin

                  Highlights from July 2017

1. Global Compact on Refugees/CRRF: The following is an update on some of the activities in July related to the CRRF:

On 7 July, the third meeting of the UNHCR-NGO-IFRC Reference Group was hosted at the IFRC offices in Geneva and focused mainly on a post-Uganda Solidarity Summit discussion. The Group benefited from the participation and perspective from the Director of UNHCR Bureau for Africa, Mr. Valentin Tapsoba. Notes from this meeting will soon be available on ICVA website.

On 10 July, the first Thematic Discussion looked at ‘Past and Current Burden- and Responsibility-Sharing Arrangements”. ICVA organized a preparatory meeting with NGOs before this first Thematic Discussion, as well as a debrief on the event a week later to look at how NGOs can engage with future Thematic Discussions, UNHCR, Member States and other stakeholders. Notes from the 5 July and 20 July meetings are available to members.

Various NGO interventions and written inputs are available on UNHCR dedicated web page, along with Member States’ and other stakeholders’ contributions. ICVA’s statement particularly highlighted ideas from a collective Reflection Paper on the Global Compact on Refugees, endorsed by over 25 NGOs and networks. Read UNHCR’ Summary Conclusions for this first Thematic Discussion.

On 18-19 July, IOM held its 2017 International Dialogue on Migration in Geneva, looking at a solution-based approach towards a global compact that reduces vulnerabilities and empowers migrants. On this occasion, UNHCR released two papers on 'Migrants in vulnerable situations: UNHCR's perspective’ and ‘Persons in need of international protection’. 

For more information, read ICVA's July update on the GCR, contact jerome.elie@icvanetwork.org and follow @ICVA_Displaced on Twitter.

2. IOM-NGO Regional Humanitarian Consultations: will take place in Nairobi from 11-12 September, and will focus on East and Horn of Africa. In line with the Principles of Partnership, endorsed 10 years ago, the event will explore how IOM and NGOs can work better together to protect and assist people in need in the region. The 2-day Consultations offer an opportunity for IOM and humanitarian NGO partners to deliberate topics of Internal Displacement, Mixed Migration, IOM-NGO Partnership in Cluster Coordination, and the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).  This event is organised by IOM and ICVA, in collaboration with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). ICVA members with operations in the East and Horn of Africa and/or in Yemen are eligible to participate in the Consultations. For further information, please contact marco.rotelli@icvanetwork.org.  

3. Costing of Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs): The IASC Costing Group’s paper “Opportunities to improve the costing of humanitarian response plans (HRPs)” will be submitted to the IASC Principals for review. The Costing Group interviewed country teams and found they are generally satisfied with the methodology they have chosen, whether unit- or project-based.  The costing group suggests the following:

• Country teams should not change methodology without seriously considering the implications, and avoid moving back and forth between methodologies.
• Once a methodology is decided, a clear calendar and clear guidance should be shared, and respected.
• The methodology for costing used should be documented.

Country teams should be encouraged to choose the method best suited to them, through careful consultation of local stakeholders and weighting the capacity of different actors (agencies, clusters) to engage.  A big thanks to Caitlin Tulloch (IRC), Fiona Gall (ACBAR), and Mathieu Rouquette (SIRF) for their contributions to the process. For more information, contact Melissa.pitotti@icvanetwork.org

4. Grand Bargain Annual Meeting Chairs’ Summary Released: The Chairs' Summary of the 20 June Grand Bargain Annual Meeting highlights a number of priority issues and challenges raised and sets out some agreed action points. There are still many questions remaining about the Grand Bargain process going forward, particularly with regard to the localization and the humanitarian-development nexus workstreams. There continue to be many follow-up meetings including meeting with NGOs on needs assessments, IASC Humanitarian Financing Task Team meeting on the localization marker, and September meetings planned on the five donor-conditions related workstreams (transparency, reporting, reduced earmarking, reduced duplication/management costs, and multi-year funding/ planning).  ICVA’s Less Paper More Aid project coordinator is working hard with Germany, GPPi and participants to roll-out the Grand Bargain simplified/harmonized reporting pilot in Iraq, Myanmar, and Somalia. For more information, contact Melissa.Pitotti@icvanetwork.org

5. Call for NGOs to serve in the Pooled Fund Working Group: We are grateful to the NGOs who have served in the Pooled Fund Working Group to date.  Now it is time to recruit for the next cycle.  Calls for expressions of interest are due 25 August. For more information, contact secretariat@icvanetwork.org

6. Country selection for the Underfunded Emergencies (UFE) 2017 second round: The CERF Secretariat contacted ICVA in order to consult its members on the country selection for the Underfunded Emergencies (UFE) 2017 second round. This consultation is currently taking place and will be finalised early August.

7. Navigating the Nexus: The Secretary General’s 30 June Report on Repositioning the UN Development System and accompanying speech are worth reading. Our next opportunity as humanitarian NGOs to engage in the humanitarian-development-peace nexus debate will be the 5 September Ad Hoc IASC Working Group meeting reviewing the IASC Humanitarian Development Nexus Task Team.  If you would like to contribute to the key messages and NGO conversations on this, contact Melissa.Pitotti@icvanetwork.org.

8.Inter-agency Standing Committee (IASC): 

The IASC Emergency Directors Group (EDG) 10 July teleconference discussed the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the cholera response in Yemen. It was agreed to strengthen the collective response  for both crises and continue mobilising donors, with a  specific EDG donor meeting on the DRC to address funding shortages.  Both crises were brought for discussion to the IASC Principals on 13 July.  For more information, contact Emmanuelle.osmond@icvanetwork.org

#fightingfamine: World Food Programme has circulated its latest “Fighting Famine Advocacy Messages”. This document provides key messages on the situation of the four countries facing extreme hunger crisis in or at risk of famine.  For more information, contact <wfp.ngounit@wfp.org>.

Sexual Harassment and Abuse in the Workplace: The IASC co-champions on sexual harassment and abuse of aid workers are seeking information on organization’s existing policies and mechanisms to prevent harassment and abuse.  With this information, they will compile a “snapshot” of what is already in place and where there are gaps to be addressed. If you can share something, please send your contribution to iasccorrespondence@un.org.

9. NGO Fora Support Programme:

ICVA has officially launched a programme to support NGO fora operating in countries affected by humanitarian crises. The programme will 1) Support the  organisational capacity development of in-country NGO fora; 2) Strengthen NGO fora in their advocacy initiatives and echoing their voices at global and regional levels; and 3) Promote the pivotal role of NGO Fora amongst the broader humanitarian community (including donors, governments, UN agencies and NGOs themselves). For more information see the NGO Fora Support Programme Brochure and contact emmanuelle.osmond@icvanetwork.org

ICVA has just released  a new Guide on Advocacy for NGO Fora. The guide looks specifically at components of humanitarian advocacy from a perspective of delivering joint NGO advocacy for NGO fora of any size or scale. It provides a good resource for NGO members to better understand and support the advocacy efforts of their fora. The components of the guide can be used together or separately, and may be tailored to the need of each fora. You can download the PDF Guide in English, and French.

As part of NGO fora support programme ICVA Africa representatives visited  NGO fora in the Central Africa Republic from 17- 21 July. They met with NGO fora and the international fora CCO Committee de Coordination des ONGI, the DSRGSC and HC for CAR.  As part of the visit the team attended, as an observer, the HCT meeting. Much of the discussion was around the situation in the country which remains volatile, as well as access related issues, which NGO fora have agreed to work together on. For more information, contact marco.rotelli@icvanetwork.org

ICVA Africa will be visiting NGO fora in South Sudan from 7-11 August.  For more information, contact marco.rotelli@icvanetwork.org or addis.tesfa@icvanetwork.org  and to request for specific issues to be covered during this mission.

10. Creating a better OCHA: The results of the 2016 OCHA Functional Review showed that OCHA must improve as an organization.  OCHA has taken this review seriously and launched a wide ranging Change Management Process.  While the full implementation of the Change Process will take up to 18 months, the Design phase  has been completed after a series of consultations with OCHA partners.  Creating a better OCHA: outcomes of the Design Phase of OCHA’s change Process”,  puts forward a clear vision for Change.  OCHA’s activities will be centred around five core functions: Coordination, Information Management, Advocacy, Policy,  and Humanitarian Financing. This will mean stopping or streamlining other activities- eg Disaster risk reduction and management, and partnerships that go beyond OCHA humanitarian focus. OCHA organizational structure will reflect the five core functions. The report does not explicitly reference potential impacts of the Change Process at field level, however,  the restructuring at HQ will have an impact. OCHA is conducting its Change Process in line with the SG’s Reform Agenda- how the New Way of Working will be articulated by OCHA remains to be seen. Mark Lowcock, the incoming ERC will be leading the implementation of the Change Process.  ICVA will continue to follow this important process, keeping close dialogue with the OCHA team, the new ERC, the ASG, and ICVA members. For more information, contact Raphael.Gorgeu@icvanetwork.org

11. World Humanitarian Day 19 August:  For WHD 2017 and related events, humanitarian partners are coming together to reaffirm that civilians caught in conflict are #notatarget.  Through an online global campaign featuring an innovative partnership with Facebook Live, and other events, we will stand in solidarity with and advocate to protect civilians caught up in conflict. This campaign builds on that of MSF to encompass other civilian groups affected by conflict (civilians in urban areas, children, people affected by sexual violence, humanitarian workers, and forcibly displaced) as well as medical workers. It also follows on the  UN Secretary-General’s report on protection of civilians, which was launched earlier this year. Laying out his ‘path to protection’, the Secretary-General calls for enhanced respect for international humanitarian and human rights law, and protection of civilians, including humanitarian and medical workers as well as civilian infrastructure.

Events around the world: Let us know what other events are taking place by writing to the secretariat@icvantwork.org

In Geneva:  UN agencies, ICRC, MSF and NGOs with the Sergio Vieira di Mello Foundation, are co-organizing a panel discussion on violence against health care and implications for affected populations, aid workers and humanitarian assistance, planned for Monday 21 August.

In New York: The UN Staff Association will coordinate a programme on Friday 18 August

In Addis Ababa: Africa Humanitarian Week (14-18 August)

In London: on 17 August 2017,  there will be an Evensong and wreath-laying ceremony at Westminster Abbey more information memorial@odi.org.uk 

12. Accelerating Solutions in Somalia:  Following the Nairobi Declaration and accompanying Plan of Action, IGAD is consulting with partners on the road map and result framework on durable solutions for Somali refugees and reintegration of returnees in Somalia.  IGAD has invited ICVA to the Member States Validation meeting which will be held on 15- 16 August 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In previous meetings  in Nairobi, ICVA has advocated for NGOs to input into the framework. NGO  inputs include clear roles of humanitarian partners and the inclusion of Humanitarian Principles in the framework document. ICVA will participate in this round of consultations, please contact marco.rotelli@icvanetwork.org or addis.tesfa@icvanetwork.org to send input and recommendations.

13. NGO Briefing to Member States in Geneva: The  summary from the 11 July  briefing to Member States by NGOs on Neglected Crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR), provides a synthesis of key themes shared throughout the briefing. NGO representatives from Action Contre la Faim, the INGO forum in DRC, Lutheran World Federation, Save the Children and CARE International highlighted: the acute needs at country levels; the need for increased and immediate financial support; and outlined top response priorities in each country. For more information about NGO briefings to Members States in Geneva, contact James.Schell@icvanetwork.org

14. ICVA humanitarian coordination webinar reinforces the importance of NGO fora and consortia: On 20 July, participants from around the world joined ICVA's humanitarian coordination learning stream webinar, in partnership with PHAP, discussing the role of NGO fora and consortia in humanitarian coordination. Presenters from the Somalia NGO consortium, the Myanmar Local Resource Centre, Syria Relief and ICVA shared successes, challenges, lessons learnt and the value-add of NGO fora and consortia. Watch the recording of the webinar and learn more about the coordination learning series on ICVA's website

15.The next webinar is on 14 September: and will unpack the dynamics between OCHA and NGOs in humanitarian coordination. For more information and to register.

16. Women in Surge Report: ActionAid International and Care International recently released a report “How humanitarian Organisations can Encourage More Women in Surge”   

17. The Future of Aid INGOS in 2030: Given the prominence of discussions on localization recently, this report is very timely and contains some important considerations for INGOs and for their partners on how the changing future humanitarian landscape will reflect in organizational models and operation. 

18. Humanitarian work is physically and emotionally demanding. Many humanitarian workers struggle to find a healthy balance between demands of work and the need to pay some attention to one’s own well-being. The Ukraine NGO Forum with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development conducted a comprehensive research of professional burnout phenomenon among humanitarian workers. The 4 month research includes analysis of responses from over 420 NGO staff members from 31 cities. The research findings provide detailed information on the main causes of burnout as well as recommendations how to identify, prevent and reduce burnout symptoms. The full text of the research is still under translation, but infographics on main results are available. For more information, contact the Capacity Building Manager of the Ukraine NGO Forum okosenko@ngoforum.org.ua

ICVA Meetings and Events

Other Meetings and Events:

Forced Displacement

1. Global Compact on Refugees/CRRF

2. IOM-NGO Regional Humanitarian Consultation

Humanitarian Financing

3. Costing of Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs)

4. Grand Bargain Annual Meeting Chairs’ Summary Released

5. Call for NGOs to serve in the Pooled Fund Working Group

6. Country selection for the Underfunded Emergencies (UFE) 2017 second round

Humanitarian Coordination

7. Navigating the Nexus

8. Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC)

9. NGO fora Support Programme

10. Creating a better OCHA

Humanitarian Partnerships

11. World Humanitarian Day

12. Accelerating solutions in Somalia

13. NGO Briefing to Member States in Geneva

Learning Stream

14. ICVA humanitarian coordination webinar reinforces the importance of NGO fora and consortia

15.The next webinar is on 14 September

New and Noteworthy

16. Women in Surge Report

17. The Future of Aid INGOS in 2030

18. Humanitarian work is physically and emotionally demanding

Forthcoming Events