1. Inter Agency ENSO Standard operating procedures
Dialogue initiated in 2016 following the El Niño-related emergencies, led by OCHA and FAO, subsequently WFP, WMO, IFRC, START network NGOs and others;
A structured framework to ensure global coordination between IASC partners and relevant development partners at global, regional and national levels, based on common understanding of the ENSO evolving impact;
Serves to initiate early actions to mitigate disasters in high risk countries;
April establishment of a Global Analytical Cell – focused on analyzing the forecasts of El Niño in 2017 and the regions/countries likely to be affected;
The Global Cell will notify high risk countries through relevant RC/HCs to prompt planning and early actions
was the year of the strongest El Nino on record which caused severe droughts and flooding across the world, impacting the livelihoods and food security of millions of people globally.
OCHA and FAO initiated a dialogue and work on a common Inter Agency framework for better coordinating and acting early to the impacts of ENSO events.
This initial group was joined by WFP, WMO, IFRC, WHO, NGOs from the START network (Oxfam, Save the Children UK, Christian Aid, World Vision) to draft a first version in December 2016.
The SOPs have recently been re-focused to target primarily the IASC partners (primary audience) – with the plan to integrate inter agency Early Action planning at country level into the existing IA ERP country process (eg by expanding the IA contingency plan to include early actions). The SOPs will also go through rounds of consultation with donors and select affected states. Once finalized (hopefully by mid 2017 also depending on El Nino) – the Sops will be submitted to the IASC WG and Principals for formal endorsement.
In parallel to the finalization of the SOPs, a Global analytical cell will be established bringing together humanitarian and development actors as well as expert climate agencies to discuss and build an understanding of the probability and possible geographical focus of an eventual El Nino event in the second half of 2017.

2. Inter Agency ENSO SOPs: Way Forward
April
Organize first meeting of the Global Analytical ENSO Cell – FAO to chair
Re-draft of the current SOPs according to the latest agreed structure
May - June
Rounds of consultation and regional workshops
Finalization of the SOP content
June - August
Consultation with Donors and select affected states
Integration of Early Action Planning in the ERP process
August - September
Submit SOPs to IASC Working Group and incorporate feedback
Submit to IASC Principals for endorsement