20 minute read
ROUNDTABLE PROFILES
U ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
It is Action Against Hunger’s goal to save lives by erasing hunger through prevention, detection and treatment of malnutrition, through neutrality, independence, nondiscrimination, free and direct access to people in need, professionalism and transparency. They have 5 strategic goals which are: INCREASE our impact on acute malnutrition by treating and preventing it, mainly in children under five; RESPOND to and prevent humanitarian crises, deal with vulnerability and strengthen the population’s resilience when facing a crisis; CONTINUE to develop partnerships with local, national and international actors, in order to increase the number of beneficiaries and promote their sustainability; DEVELOP our ability to guarantee an effective and efficient response to humanitarian crises; and STAND OUT in the field of political advocacy and become a benchmark in terms of hunger and malnutrition.
www.accioncontraelhambre.org.gt
N AMERICAN RED CROSS
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Through its strong network of volunteers, donors and partners, the American Red Cross is always there in times of need. We aspire to turn compassion into action so that all people affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter and hope; our communities are ready and prepared for disasters; everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products; all members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed; and in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives. The American Red Cross is part of a global network dedicated to relieving human suffering. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is made up from 190 individual National Societies dedicated to the Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Neutrality, Impartiality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. Around 17 million Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers play an essential role in supporting their communities throughout the world.
www.redcross.org
9 AMERICARES
Americares is a health-focused relief and development organization that saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster. Each year, Americares reaches an average of 90 countries and all 50 U.S. states with life-changing health programs, medicine and medical supplies. In addition, Americares emergency response team responds to an average of 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings disaster preparedness programs to vulnerable communities. Americares relief workers are among the first to respond to emergencies and stay as long as needed, helping to restore health services for survivors.
www.americares.org
C CEPREDENAC - COORDINATION CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION
OF NATURAL DISASTERS IN CENTRAL AMERICA
The Executive Secretariat of CEPREDENAC negotiates, advises and manages regional programs, implemented through national fund and international cooperation. The Programs and Projects Portfolio are constantly updated and has been established according to needs and priorities, in consultation with national authorities. CEPREDENAC’s coordination model is based on optimizing resources, fostering Disaster Risk Management institutionalization in all sectors.
www.cepredenac.org
H CLRAH - REGIONAL LOGISTICS CENTER FOR
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE; PANAMA
The Regional Logistics Center for Humanitarian Assistance (CLRAH) establishes itself as a logistics platform for humanitarian assistance enabling the facilitation of activities such as, the reception, handling, storage and the redistribution of provisions & equipment, as well as the deployment of human resources, without contravening any other related activity, for efficient humanitarian assistance management against national and international emergencies and hence, fortifying countries of the region. The CLRAH was established to strengthen the response capacities of national civil and humanitarian protection systems whilst promoting professionalism and logistical and humanitarian capabilities in the region.
www.mingob.gob.pa/hub-humanitario
P COE - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) sets to maintain permanent coordination among the institutions of the National System for the Prevention, Mitigation and Response to Disasters - to guarantee a timely response to emergency situations and disasters. COE provides an organized, timely and efficient response according to the needs derived from the adverse event, and ensures that actions aimed at mitigating the effects derived from the event are carried out through an adequate prioritization of response actions. COE also ensures that the process of making operational decisions is carried out based on up to date information and duly confirmed. To facilitate the tasks of attention, protection and assistance of the people affected by any event, and develop a system for collecting and processing information that allows decisions to be made according to the needs derived from the event.
www.coe.gob.do
FOR DISASTER REDUCTION
The Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR) is the largest international network of civil society organisations (CSOs) that work to strengthen resilience and reduce disaster risks in communities worldwide. GNDR represents and convenes CSOs in international spaces with regard to the Sendai framework implementation and monitoring, making sure that the voices of its 700+ Full Member organisations, spread across 107 countries, are heard. Through its ECOSOC Special Consultative status, GNDR and its members can formally participate in all formal UN consultation processes. GNDR has a longstanding relationship and collaborates closely with UNISDR, as well as formal partnership agreements to collaborate with the EU in humanitarian and development matters. The GNDR Flagship programme ‘Views from the Frontline’ (VFL) has mobilised in the past over 500 organisations, and reached out to approximately 95,000 stakeholders in communities in 69 countries, monitoring the progress of international disaster risk reduction efforts at a local level for the past 10 years.
www.gndr.org
W GVF
The GVF is the global association of the satellite industry. Founded in 1997, it brings together organizations engaged in the delivery of advanced broadband and narrowband satellite services to consumers, and commercial and government enterprises worldwide. Headquartered in London, GVF is an independent non-profit organization with member companies from every region of the world. The organization represents every sector of the satellite industry, including fixed and mobile satellite operators, satellite network operators, teleports, satellite earth station manufacturers, system integrators, value added and enhanced service providers, telecom carriers, consultants, law firms, users, and now, Earth imaging companies.
www.gvf.org
V HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL
For more than 20 years, Habitat for Humanity has been working in Disaster Response, offering a variety of interventions to help vulnerable families and communities recover from devastating disasters and conflicts. Habitat’s recovery initiatives include shelter and settlements interventions with an end goal of sustainable development. They include emergency shelter kits, transitional shelters, core and incremental building; complete new house construction, repairs and reconstruction; and retrofitting to enhance resistance to hazards. Access to land, affirmation of tenure rights, access to clean water and improved sanitation complement this enabling strategy. Habitat supports holistic approaches to working with families and communities who have been affected by disasters. In addition to shelter, community needs can include restoration of livelihoods, education, skills training, concerns for safety, and maintaining valuable social networks. In collaboration with community leaders, local government, humanitarian aid and development organizations and the affected families themselves, Habitat works in more than 70 countries trying to address these needs where appropriate.
www.habitat.org
Q HAITI MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH & POPULATION (MSPP)
The Ministry of Public Health and Population is the executive body responsible for formulating and implementing the National Public Health policy. Their mission is to guarantee to all citizens without distinction the right to life, to health and to provide them, in all territorial communities, with the appropriate means for the protection, maintenance and restoration of their health. The ministry’s main objective is to ensure the reduction of morbidity and mortality, linked to the main identified health problems, from an adequate, efficient, accessible and universal health system.
www.mspp.gouv.ht
D IFRC - INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS
& RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 190 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and around 17 million volunteers. IFRC works to strengthen and accompany National Societies, so that they may better address current and future challenges. We support coordination of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network before, during and after disasters and crises. Together, we reach more than 160 million people with lifesaving and life-changing support annually.
www.ifrc.org
Y IMPACCT
IMPACCT is an inter-agency initiative with a group of core members (such as the World Customs Organisation, OCHA, UNCTAD, Save the Children, MSF, IFRC, IHC Dubai, HELP Logistics etc). Considering that the importation of medicines and medical equipment is key during a humanitarian response, we support governmental regulatory agencies, humanitarian organisations and private sector to make the cross-border movement of disaster relief goods and equipment more efficient, transparent, and predictable and reduce unnecessary delays and costs in the delivery of humanitarian aid to populations in need.
vosocc.unocha.org/GetFile.aspx?xml=5033i2la_l1.html&tid=5033&laid=1
X IOM - INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the UN Migration Agency. It was established in 1951, and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. With 172 member states, 8 states holding observer status, and Offices in over 100 countries, it works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM participates in the humanitarian responses and offers migration services in emergency and post – crisis situations to assist the needs of individuals and affected communities. It also, provides technical support to improve the conditions of populations affected by the crisis which leads to saving lives through the identification and implementation of comprehensive durable solutions to end displacement.
www.iom.int
L JOINT TASK FORCE-BRAVO
Joint Task Force-Bravo is one of two task forces under United States Southern Command. Located at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, JTF-Bravo operates a forward, all-weather day/ night C-5-capable air base, organizes multilateral exercises and supports, in cooperation with our partner nations, counter transnational organized crime, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief efforts and the development of partner capacities, to promote regional cooperation and security in Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
www.jtfb.southcom.mil
E OCHA - UN OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
OCHA has had a presence in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2003 and currently maintains a presence in 12 countries in the region with a regional office in Panama; countries offices in Colombia, Haiti and Venezuela; Humanitarian Advisory Teams (HATs) in Barbados, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru; and regional support stationed in Mexico and Bolivia. Humanitarian Advisory Teams are a key component of OCHA’s presence in the region, allowing for greater preparedness and localized response capacity and supporting the development of key operational alliances at the country level. The OCHA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) coordinates the Regional Group on Risks, Emergencies and Disasters for Latin America and the Caribbean (REDLAC), a regional inter-institutional platform that facilitates a more coherent preparation and response to emergencies from the regional to the global level and to the national level. Through a sectoral group or cluster system approach, it facilitates the understanding and development of appropriate mechanisms when responding to emergencies.
www.unocha.org/rolac
REGIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM RSS
STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY
Z REGIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM (RSS)
The Regional Security System was created out of a need for a collective response to security threats, which were impacting the stability of the Caribbean Region in the late 70’s and early 80’s. The RSS is a Seven-Nation alliance comprising Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Treaty establishing the RSS was signed at St. George’s, Grenada on 5 March 1996, thus giving The System has the status of an international organisation and enjoys legal personality. Throughout the region, the RSS provides advice, technical and administrative support to the Governments of the Member States in the areas of border security, strengthening security institutions, improving internal security, and reducing the impact of environmental hazards and man-made disasters. Furthermore, as a premier provider of capacity building initiatives, the RSS delivers programmes to increase security awareness and to reduce the opportunity for, and the incidence and impact of, threats to the safety and security of the region. It is believed that as a result of the expansionary process, RSS will make greater and more valuable contributions to the regional and international security.
www.rss.org.bb
K ROYAL BAHAMAS DEFENCE FORCE (RBDF)
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force was established in 1979. Commodore Dr. Raymond king EdD heads the organization. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force is a multifaceted, self-reliant and self-sufficient organization The RBDF is primarily an armed service, whose roles also encompass some aspects of a coast guard as well as a disaster relief assuming a pivotal role in crisis/disaster response. Our strategic mission is to defend the sovereignty of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, assist with maintaining law and order and perform humanitarian tasks in conjunction with local and international partners. The RBDF overall mission and vision objective is;” To Guard our heritage” and “To become a model of excellence in guarding our heritage”.
www.rbdf.gov.bs
R SAVE THE CHILDREN
Around the world, too many children still start life at a disadvantage simply because of who they are and where they are from. Present in 120 countries, Save the Children has a bold ambition: we believe in a world in which all children survive, have the chance to learn, and are protected from abuse, neglect and exploitation. In LAC, Save the Children is present in Bolivia, Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, Colombia, Nicaragua, with Member Offices in Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Honduras, and work with partners in several other countries in the Region. Save the Children works in humanitarian and development contexts, trying to reach the most deprived children.
www.savethechildren.net
I SINAPROC PANAMA - NATIONAL CIVIL PROTECTION SYSTEM
The main goal of the National Civil Protection System of Panama (SINAPROC) is to plan, research, lead, supervise, and organize the policies and actions aimed at assessing the damage that can be caused by natural and anthropogenic disasters. It is responsible for executing disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, intervention and restoration policies and plans, and oversees all risk management actions based on territorial vulnerability. Its objectives also include: Incorporate risk management in operational & development plans; Promote citizen participation in the risk management process; Guarantee timely and effective interventions for the population in the event of emergencies or disasters; and Channel resources to support the development of risk management plans, programs and projects.
www.sinaproc.gob.pa
M SOUTHCOM - U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND
United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), located in Miami, Fla., is one of ten unified Combatant Commands (COCOMs) in the Department of Defense. SOUTHCOM is responsible for providing contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation in its assigned Area of Responsibility which includes: Central America, South America, and The Caribbean (except U.S. commonwealths, territories, and possessions). The command is also responsible for the force protection of U.S. military resources at these locations. SOUTHCOM is also responsible for ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal. Under the leadership of a four-star commander, SOUTHCOM is a joint command comprised of more than 1,200 military and civilian personnel representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and several other federal agencies. U.S. engagement and commitment in the region reflects our enduring promise of friendship, partnership and solidarity with the Americas, and our cooperation supports a prosperous, and secure hemisphere.
www.southcom.mil
B UNDP - UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Based in the middle of Europe, the UNDP Office in Geneva contributes to UNDP’s mission through serving as the UNDP Platform for Geneva and the Geneva-based organizations and as the primary point of contact with the governments of France and Switzerland. Strong and active partnerships are essential for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since October 2014, the UNDP Office in Geneva has become an integrated partnership office working across programmatic and representational functions. UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas: Sustainable development; Democratic governance and peacebuilding and Climate and disaster resilience. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable. Across Latin America and the Caribbean, UNDP works mainly with governments, but also with civil society organisations and the private sector, developing national and local capacities and building stronger institutions that offer quality services for citizens.
www.undp.org
O UNGRD - NATIONAL UNIT FOR DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT; COLOMBIA
We are the Unit of the Presidency of the Republic that directs, guides and coordinates Disaster Risk Management in Colombia, strengthening the capacities of public, private and community entities, and society in general, with the explicit purpose of contributing to the improvement of people’s quality of life and sustainable development, through the knowledge of risk, its reduction and the management of disasters associated with phenomena of natural, socio-natural, technological and unintentional human origin. The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management of Colombia (UNGRD by its initials in Spanish) is a national entity part of the Administrative Department of the Presidency of the Republic of Colombia., based in Bogotá, D.C. The main goal of the UNGRD is to lead the implementation of Disaster Risk Management, while responding to the national Sustainable Development policies, and to coordinate the functioning and continuous development of the National System for Disaster Risk Management. The UNGRD has as part of its main functions to coordinate, promote and strengthen capacities for risk knowledge, risk reduction and disaster management, and to propose and articulate policies, strategies, plans, programs, projects, and national procedures of disaster risk management, in the frame of the National System for Disaster Risk Management (SNGRD created by Law 1523 in 2012). It is the set of public, private and community entities, of policies, regulations, processes, resources, plans, strategies, instruments, mechanisms, as well as information related to the subject, which is applied in an organized manner to guarantee risk management in the country. The SNGRD´s objective is to carry out the social process of risk management to offer protection to the population in the Colombian territory, improve safety, well-being, and quality of life, and contribute to sustainable development.
portal.gestiondelriesgo.gov.co
J UNHRD - UN HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE DEPOT / WFP
UNHRD is a network of depots located in Ghana, Italy, UAE, Malaysia, Spain, and Panama that procures, manages and transports emergency supplies for the humanitarian community. It is a one stop shop for partners, offering free storage, procurement, transport, handling, and technical field expertise. Recognized as a leader in prepositioning, storage and handling of emergency supplies and support equipment, the Network manages strategic emergency relief stocks. These stocks include medical kits, shelter items, ready-to-use foods, IT equipment and operational support assets, for a growing base of user organizations - all designed to strengthen and enhance organizational response efforts at the onset of an emergency. UNHRD in Panama plays a leading role in emergency preparedness and response for Latin America and the Caribbean, and is generously made available by the Government of Panama.
www.unhrd.org
F UNICEF - UN CHILDREN’S FUND
UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Together with our partners, we work to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. The UNICEF Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, guided by the SDGs and located in Panama City, coordinates and supervises the work of UNICEF in 36 countries and territories through 24 national country programs to promote the rights and well-being of all children and adolescents in the region. It also advocates to promote investment and public policies focused on children and adolescents, developing regional alliances to achieve the objectives defined in the Regional Operational Management Plan 2018-2021.
www.unicef.org/lac
S UNPD - UN PROCUREMENT DIVISION
The United Nations Procurement Division (UNPD) aims at providing best value for money in the timely acquisition of goods and services to enable UN Secretariat entities deliver their mandates and achieve their objectives globally. UNPD’s clients range from peacekeeping and special political Missions, over Headquarters and Offices Away from Headquarters to Tribunals and other UN entities. Goods and Services include requirements in the Categories of Aviation, Transportation, Vehicles, Engineering, Food, Fuel, Financial & Professional Services, Security, Medical and IT & Communications, among others. UNPD does business with vendors from all over the world and is actively working at increasing its sources of supply from developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
www.unodc.org/ropan/
USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance is the U.S. Government lead for international disaster assistance, reaching tens of millions of people around the world each year with life-saving aid. On average, we respond to 75 crises in more than 70 countries each year, providing food, water, shelter, health care, and other critical aid to people who need it most. We work to ensure that this assistance reaches people affected by natural disasters—including hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanoes—as well as slow-onset crises, such as drought and conflict. Not only do we save lives, we empower communities to become more self-reliant by preparing them for disasters before they strike—and by giving them the tools and ability to respond. After a crisis, we help people get back on their feet, and we help the chronically poor move out of poverty.
www.usaid.gov/humanitarian-assistance
T WFP - WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME
Assisting 86.7 million people in around 83 countries each year, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. As the international community has committed to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition by 2030, one in nine people worldwide still do not have enough to eat. Food and food-related assistance lie at the heart of the struggle to break the cycle of hunger and poverty. Two-thirds of WFP’s work is in conflict-affected countries where people are three times more likely to be undernourished than those living in countries without conflict. However, recognizing the level of development in the Latin America and Caribbean region, WFP’s emphasis is largely on strengthening countries’ capacities. First to reduce the risk of disasters through stronger emergency preparedness mechanisms at community, sub-national, national and regional levels; then to strengthen community resilience to shocks and enhance communities and systems ability to adapt to climate change; and finally, to ensure social protection systems are responsive to shocks to address timely and effectively growing food insecurity and malnutrition in times of crisis.
www.wfp.org
NIVIA BUTLER, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND This was a valuable forum that allowed in-depth discussions on a number of aspects impacting disaster response & development matters.
