OCHA is the acronym for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. OCHA coordinates the work of UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other national and international actors in humanitarian emergencies. It is the principal international player on humanitarian assistance issues. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is led by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.
The UN office’s main functions include:
- Coordination: OCHA is responsible for coordinating the efforts of various UN agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and governments involved in humanitarian assistance to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively.
- Information management: OCHA collects, analyses, and disseminates information on humanitarian crises, helping to inform decision-making and response efforts.
- Support to field operations: OCHA provides support to field operations, helping to ensure that aid is delivered effectively and efficiently to those in need.
- Policy development: OCHA works to develop policies and strategies for responding to humanitarian crises, based on best practices and lessons learned.
- Advocacy: OCHA advocates for the needs of affected populations, mobilizes resources, and raises awareness about humanitarian crises.
The head of OCHA is at the same time the Emergency Relief Coordinator, who serves as the UN's spokesperson on humanitarian issues and leads the organization's response to crises around the world. OCHA’s mandate originates from General Assembly (GA) resolution 46/182 of December 1991. As part of the United Nations Secretariat, the office is headquartered in New York and Geneva.