General Reference - IM Toolbox

Reference Documents

General Reference

All documents listed in this section are intended as reference documents only, they are not necessarily endorsed by the United Nations, OCHA or FIS

Sphere Project

The Sphere Project was launched in 1997 by a group of humanitarian NGOs and the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. Sphere is based on two core beliefs: first, that all possible steps should be taken to alleviate human suffering arising out of calamity and conflict, and second, that those affected by disaster have a right to life with dignity and therefore a right to assistance. Sphere is three things: a handbook, a broad process of collaboration and an expression of commitment to quality and accountability. The project has developed several tools, the key one being the handbook.

http://www.sphereproject.org/

General Humanitarian Issues

General documents on various humanitarian issues, including ethics, collaboration and the Code of Conduct.

Disaster Management Ethics, 1997 by UNDMT – this document addresses some of the ethical issues and dilemmas faced by the humanitarian assistance community as it seeks to respond to human need in the context of natural and human caused disasters

UN ECOSOC Report 57/77, 2002 - Strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations

Code of Conduct, 1998 by International Alert – this document aims to provide an ethical framework for conflict transformation work

Humanitarian Assistance in Disaster Situations, 1999 by PAHO – Humanitarian Assistance in Disaster Situation – a guide for effective aid by Pan American Health Organization - this report aims to make aid more effective in situations of disasters and complex emergencies.

Tools and Resources for Post Disasters Relief, 2002 - These materials provide a useful tool for disaster managers engaged in planning and implementing relief operations for disaster victims

Mortality Data in Humanitarian Emergencies, 2005 by HPN – Interpreting and using mortality data in humanitarian emergencies – a primer for non-epidemiologist by the Humanitarian Practice Network - The paper’s aim is to enable readers to critically interpret mortality study reports, and to understand how these are used (or misused) to formulate policy.

Civil Military Relations

"Traditionally in complex emergencies, there has been a distinction between the military and the non-military domains: an approach built upon the principles of international humanitarian law that make a distinction between combatants and noncombatants, protecting the latter from armed attacks. In recent history, however, military forces have become increasingly involved in operations other than war, including provision of relief and services to the local population. At the same time, due to the changing nature of modern complex emergencies, the humanitarian community has faced increased
operational challenges as well as greater risks and threats for their workers in the field, which at times have compelled some of them to seek the support or protection by military forces on a case-by-case basis1. Thus, practical realities on the ground have gradually necessitated various forms of civil-military coordination for humanitarian operations"
IASC Reference Paper, June 2004

Humanitarian Reform

There are three main elements to the humanitarian reform: 1) to create more predictable humanitarian finances to ensure and enable a prompt response to new or rapidly deteriorating crises; 2) to strengthen response capacity by establishing a system of cluster leads in those areas of activity where there are clearly identified gaps, and finally, 3) to strengthen the Humanitarian Coordinator system to better support field coordination. As such, OCHA field offices will in many ways be at the forefront of all three elements of humanitarian reform.

Miscellaneous Documents

Acronyms and Abbreviations, 2005 – a comprehensive (112 pages) listing of United Nations acronyms and abbreviations.

Handbooks and Field Guides

UN and Donor Handbooks and Field Guides

OCHA Orientation Handbook, 2002 – this document defines OCHA’s mandate, explains OCHA’s structure and role within the UN

UNDAC Handbook, 2000 – a quick reference guide for UNDAC team members during an emergency.

UNHCR Handbook 2nd ed, 1999 - intended as a managers' guide to setting up emergency operations for large-scale influxes and provides advice in a non-technical manner on how to tackle various aspects of emergency response.

Background Documents for UNDAC Members CD by Field Coordination Support Section (FCSS)

USAID Field Operations Guide (FOG) v4, 2005 for Disaster Assessment and Response – is a reference tool for OFDA and DART team members.

WFP Emergency Field Operations Pocketbook, 2002 – a quick reference resource for all WFP staff engaged in the provision of humanitarian assistance in the field.

WHO Handbook for Emergency Field Operations, 2002 – a management and reference tool for WHO staff working in complex emergencies.

Humanitarian Law

International humanitarian law is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. International humanitarian law is also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict.

International humanitarian law is part of international law, which is the body of rules governing relations between States. International law is contained in agreements between States – treaties or conventions –, in customary rules, which consist of State practise considered by them as legally binding, and in general principles.

International humanitarian law applies to armed conflicts. It does not regulate whether a State may actually use force; this is governed by an important, but distinct, part of international law set out in the United Nations Charter

ABC of Humanitarian International Law, 2003 - this glossary explains key terms used in international humanitarian law in easy-to-understand words.

An Easy Reference to International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law, 2000 - This document is intended to provide humanitarian personnel with a quick reference to international humanitarian law and human rights law instruments. This is not intended as a policy document per se, but rather as guidance to assist Humanitarian Coordinators in the course of their duties.

Frequently Asked Questions on International Humanitarian, Human Rights and Refugee Law, 2004

Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement - Summary, 1999 by IASC – Summary - The humanitarian community is increasingly aware of the crisis of internal displacement which affects over 20 million people worldwide. While responsibility for the protection of IDPs rests first and foremost with national governments and local authorities, it is important for the international community to see how best it can contribute to enhancing the protection of IDPs in conflict and crisis situations. We must also design humanitarian assistance in such a way that it will promote the protection of IDPs

Human rights and international legal standards: what do relief workers need to know? 1997 By James Darcy – describes the moral and legal framework of human rights.

The Principles of Humanitarian Action in International Humanitarian Law, 2000 by the Humanitarian Policy Group. This study seeks to clarify the status and content of the principles of humanitarian action in international law and contribute to a better understanding of the extent to which these principles can strengthen arguments for their observance

Consolidated Appeals Process

The Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) is much more than an appeal for money. It is a tool used by aid organisations to plan, implement and monitor their activities together. Working together in the world's crisis regions, they produce appeals, which they present to the international community and donors.

Since its inception, the CAP has become the humanitarian sector’s main tool for coordination, strategic planning and programming. As a planning mechanism, the CAP has contributed significantly to developing a more strategic approach to the provision of humanitarian aid. As a coordination mechanism the CAP has fostered closer cooperation between governments, donors, aid agencies, the Red Cross Movement and non-governmental organisations.

Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD)

Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD). The GHD initiative provides a forum for donors to discuss good practice in funding humanitarian assistance and other shared concerns. By defining principles and standards it provides both a framework to guide official humanitarian aid and a mechanism for encouraging greater donor accountability.

http://www.goodhumanitariandonorship.org/

Financial Tracking Service (FTS)

Financial Tracking Service (FTS) is "a global, real-time database which records all reported international humanitarian aid (including that for NGOs and the Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement, bilateral aid, in-kind aid, and private donations).

Internet Links

Useful links to web pages: