UNIFIED RESPONSE STRATEGY

Sphere India

“A small step is a giant leap”

WHAT IS URS?

It is an action-based project, of Sphere India,

launched with the rationale to build common

understanding among different stakeholders, for

an organized and coordinated response.

 

OBJECTIVES OF URS:

To initiate and strengthen inter-agency collaboration in new states and to ensure the trickle down of the process to the district level.

To strengthen the existing IAGs at the State and district levels.

To institutionalize common assessments, common response planning, and common monitoring & evaluation in the inter-agency process.

To enhance greater preparedness and quality response by the humanitarian agencies.

To realize the development of an Emergency Management Centre.

THE NEED FOR URS? Avoid duplication

Past experiences and lessons

Equitable distribution of relief and avoid social exclusion

Complement Govt. relief efforts

Improve overall humanitarian standards (time and quality of response) and promote 360 degree accountability

STRENGTHENING INTER-AGENCY PROCESS Facilitating new IAGs Strengthening existing

coalitions/networks to be more inclusive

Training and capacity building of inter-agency groups.

Experience sharing on collaborative action (Lessons Learnt Workshops)

Learning: Increased interest for

coalition in new states. Continued engagement

through training

ACTIVATION OF URS

A.P & Karnataka Floods (Sphere Coordinators Deployment)

Bihar and West Bengal Cyclone/Floods (IAG initiating URS process)

Emergency Meetings

Learning: Increased interest for

coalition in new states Continued engagement

through training

INTER AGENCY ASSESSMENTS

IA Multi-sectoral assessments in West Bengal, Bihar Floods.

Assessment for identification of advocacy issues.

Use of common assessment formats

Learning: IAGs owning the process and

initiating the assessments.

PREPAREDNESS

Information on pre-positioning of agencies’ stocks – identifying collective capacity.

Pre-monsoons preparedness meetings (state & district levels)

Humanitarian database

Learning: Investing in district level

coordination is being considered as a key component.

PRE-POSITIONING

QUALITY & ACCOUNTABILITY ACTIONS Sphere Audit in Andhra

Pradesh Floods (Kurnool & Mahbubnagar Districts)

Immersion Exercise in Kosi Basin, Bihar

Post Cyclone Aila Assessment in West Bengal

Learning: Common monitoring is

important to gauge the progress and identify key issues of advocacy in the disaster hit areas.

INTER AGENCY GROUPSState Status

Assam Charter adopted by member agencies in July 2010, Convenor and Interim Coordinator in place. Plans for GBM in August to formalise relationship with SDMA and Annual Work Plan.

Bihar Convenor in place, no Charter yet, plans for re-organisation under discussion.

Orissa Charter,Convenor and full time Coordinator with funded Annual Work Plan

West Bengal Charter, Convenor and full time Coordinator with funded Annual Work Plan

Tamil Nadu Charter to be adopted in July end. IAG Facilitator in place.

A.P. Initiated in August 2009. Informal structure to facilitate close collaboration with AP State GO-NGO Coordination Committee.

State StatusKarnataka Interim group formed in January 2010.

Kerala Interm group formed in February 2010.

Gujarat IAG initiated following Bhuj earthquake recovery work. Needs reorganisation after exit of INGOs

J & K IAG formed in July 2009. Convenor and membership criteria agreed.

UP Convenor and Coordinator with funded Annual Plan

Rajasthan Interim Group formed in May 2010. Charter and structure to be finalized by August 2010

Uttarakhand Interim Group formed in April 2010. Charter and structure under discussion and will be finalized shortly.

Jan Mar May

July Sep Nov

DecOctAugJunAprFeb

2009

J & K IAG Formation

Quality & Accountability

Workshops

IAG Tamil Nadu

Formation

District Coordination in Bihar & UP

Pre-monsoon meetings in Bihar &

UP

Cyclone Aila, West Bengal

District Coordination in Bihar & UP

District Coordination in Bihar & UP

Emergency Coordination in

Karnataka

Drought Bulletin

National Strategic Preparedness

Workshop on Swine Flu

District Coordination in Bihar & UP

Emergency Coordination in

Karnataka

District Coordination in Bihar & UP

Kosi Recovery Consultations in

Bihar

URS Lessons Learnt Workshop

Emergency Coordination in A.P & Karnataka

IAG A.P Formation

District Coordination in

Bihar & UP

Placement of Sphere

Coordinators in Bihar, UP and

Delhi

Piloting district coordination

IAG Orissa Cyclone

Assessment

IEC Material on Humanitarian

Ethics

6th Sphere India Day

District Coordination in Bihar & UP

Bihar IAG Multi-Sectoral Assessment

IEC material on H1N1

District Coordination in Bihar & UP

Pre-monsoon meetings in Bihar

Emergency coordination in

Cyclone Aila, West Bengal

Cyclone Aila West Bengal

South India Floods

South India & U.P Floods

A.P, Bihar & U.P Floods

India Drought

Cyclone Bijili Orissa

Assam, Bihar & Orissa Floods

H1N1 Pandemic

India Drought

Orissa Tornado

Cyclone PhyanCyclone Nisha

Assam Earthquake

WAY AHEAD

Strengthening existing and facilitating new inter-agency groups.

Facilitating and strengthening district coordination mechanism.

Capacity building of agencies. Facilitate simulations with IAGs to

strengthen preparedness. Strengthen Go-NGO-IAG Interface