UNIFIED RESPONSE STRATEGY Sphere India “A small step is a giant leap”
Dec 25, 2015
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.
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