The Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) is the highest-ranking United Nations official responsible for humanitarian affairs. The ERC reports directly to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and serves as a focal point for governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations on humanitarian issues. In this capacity, the ERC may be called before the UN Security Council in humanitarian emergencies.
The UN General Assembly, which created the Office of the Emergency Relief Coordinator, also established the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, which is chaired by the ERC. The ERC is responsible for overseeing all emergencies requiring UN humanitarian assistance. In a country affected by disaster or conflict, the ERC may appoint a humanitarian coordinator (HC).