Introduction
The UN Resident Coordinator is responsible for forming and leading the UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) in each disaster or emergency prone country. The team is a mechanism for coordination, providing a forum for information exchange, discussion and seeking consensus on disaster-related initiatives.
The UN Resident Coordinator is responsible for forming and leading the UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) in each disaster or emergency prone country. The team is a mechanism for coordination, providing a forum for information exchange, discussion and seeking consensus on disaster-related initiatives.
The primary purpose of the UNDMT is:
- To ensure a prompt, effective and concerted country-level support to Government response in the event of a disaster, at the central, state and sub-state levels;
- To coordinate UN assistance to Government with respect to long term recovery, disaster mitigation and preparedness;
- To coordinate all disaster-related activities, technical advice and material assistance provided by UN agencies, as well as to take steps for optimal utilisation of resources by UN agencies.
In India, ten UN agencies comprise the UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT): FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation), ILO (International Labour Organisation), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), UNHCR(United Nations High Commission for Refugees), UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), WFP (World Food Programme) and WHO (World Health Organisation). In January 2009, UNAIDS (Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS) became a member of the UNDMT.
Background
Beginning in 1989, all UNDP offices in disaster and emergency prone countries were requested to set up UN Disaster Management Teams (UNDMTs). In consultation with the host Government and the UN Country Team, the UN Resident Coordinator heads the UNDMT, consisting of UN agencies concerned with response to humanitarian emergencies. The UN Resident Coordinator acts also as the focal point for disaster reduction and mitigation, as well as ensures the effective dovetailing of relief assistance into rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes.
The composition of the UNDMT is determined by taking into account the types of disaster to which a country is prone and the organisations present. In this respect, membership to the UNDMT is not restricted to UN agencies alone. Representatives of key government bodies, donors, NGOs, the Red Cross movement should be included as regular members or invited to attend specific meetings when appropriate. The UNDMT recognises and in no way supersedes the mandates and specific functions of the various organisations.
In India, the UNDMT was established in the 1990s. Particularly in the absence of UN OCHA in India, the UNDMT plays a crucial coordination role in emergencies. In September 2007, a full-time staff member was hired to facilitate the work of the UNDMT. The UNDMT is currently very active in the country in disaster preparedness, response and risk reduction, with respect to natural disasters.
