SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION TO HUMANITARIAN ACTION

What guides UNICEFs humanitarian action Characteristics and challenges posed by complex emergencies UNICEFs and inter-agency approach to protection Link between protection, assistance and advocacy, and the need to integrate and apply these concepts in humanitarian action AT THE END OF SESSION 1 YOU SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH: UNICEF 2

WHY DOES UNICEF WORK IN CRISES SITUATIONS? UN Charter CRC (article 38) UNICEF Mission Statement UNICEF Core Commitments for Children UNICEF Anti-War Agenda 3 UNICEF

UNICEFS ANTI WAR AGENDA 7 POINTS 1.End use of children as soldiers 2.Increased protection for humanitarian assistance and personnel 3.Humanitarian landmine action 4.Protection of children from the effects of sanctions 5.Inclusion of children in peace building 6.End to the impunity of war crimes against children 7.Early warning/preventive action in support of children 4 UNICEF

DEFINITION OF COMPLEX EMERGENCY UNICEF defines a complex emergency as: "A humanitarian crisis in a country, region or society where there is a significant or total breakdown of authority resulting from internal or external conflict and which requires an international response that extends beyond the mandate or capacity of any single agency. In complex emergencies, children and women may also need legal and physical protection to prevent harm and ensure their access to humanitarian assistance" (Programme, Policies and Procedures Manual glossary) 6 UNICEF

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPLEX EMERGENCIES Disruption of infra-structure and economic system Flagrant violations of human rights and massive displacement Lack of authority and security Humanitarian Access Multi- causality Multi-sectoral response Prolonged and protracted 7 Based on civil conflicts UNICEF

DEFINITION: EMERGENCY UNICEF defines an emergency as: …a situation which threatens the lives and well being of large numbers of a population and in which extraordinary action is required to ensure their survival, care and protection. Emergencies may be created by natural or technological disasters, epidemics, or conflicts PPP Manual Glossary 9 UNICEF

THE NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK ETHICAL OTHER STANDARDS 10 LEGAL UNICEF

UNICEFS HUMAN RIGHTS BASED APPROACH TO PROGRAMMING All programmes focused on realisation of rights of girls, boys and women Human rights and child rights principles guide programming in all phases and sectors Capacity development of duty bearers to meet obligations to respect, protect and fulfil rights; and rights holders to claim fully their rights UNICEF 11

MISCONCEPTION I cant talk about human rights now, I have an emergency to deal with! Assistance without protection from attack, persecution and other human rights violations is not enough when human rights violations become a strategy of war 12 UNICEF

All activities must be conducted in accordance with universally accepted humanitarian principles All activities aimed at ensuring respect and fulfillment of human rights, as expressed in international human rights and humanitarian law 13 DEFINITION OF PROTECTION UNICEF

UNICEFs Definition of Child Protection All activities aimed at ensuring protection of children from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect. Violation of a childs right to protection is a violation of human rights and a significant barrier to child survival and physical/mental development. All activities aimed at ensuring respect and fulfillment of human rights, as expressed in international human rights and humanitarian law. All activities must be conducted in accordance with universally accepted humanitarian principles. 14 IASC Definition of Protection UNICEF

Environment Building Action Remedial Action Responsive Action 15 STRATEGIC PROTECTION EGG UNICEF

Although short term in perspective, these actions should include preventive action Activities which seek to address the immediate effects of a specific human rights violation or pattern of abuse 16 RESPONSIVE ACTION UNICEF

Medium-term activities such as programmes for rehabilitation, restitution, compensation and reparation Activities which seek to restore peoples human dignity and ensure adequate living conditions subsequent to a pattern of abuse 17 REMEDIAL ACTION UNICEF

ENVIRONMENT BUILDING ACTION Long-term activities such as initiating new legislation and training enforcement officials Activities which seek to create an environment conducive to full respect for human rights 18 UNICEF

International law (GC IV/AP I and II) provides that States have primary responsibility for ensuring that all civilians in their care receive necessary humanitarian assistance and protection GA/57 (I) that created UNICEF states..the Fund…with Government agreement…shall take such measures as deemed appropriate to bring emergency assistance to children and their families in war ravaged countries 19 HUMANITARIAN ACCESS UNICEF

UNICEF has an important role in protecting childrens rights in emergencies Complex emergencies pose specific challenges to humanitarian actors, including the denial of humanitarian access, presence of NSEs, and human rights abuse Protection = all activities aimed at ensuring respect and fulfillment of human rights. For UNICEF, child protection means protection from violence, abuse and exploitation Protection, assistance and advocacy are the key components of rights-based humanitarian action UNICEFs humanitarian action is guided by the CCCs 20 KEY MESSAGES UNICEF