Emergency Response Fund Democratic Republic of Congo

Transcription

1 Emergency Response Fund Democratic Republic of Congo Emergency Response Fund Democratic Republic of Congo Credit: ACF USA/Nutrition ERF project in Bandundu Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

2 The Joint Humanitarian Financing Unit The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of the Congo 1

3 Note from the Humanitarian Coordinator Dear colleagues and humanitarian partners, I am very pleased to share with you the Emergency Response Fund 2011 Annual Report for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This report focuses on the management and mechanisms established to run the Emergency Response Fund (ERF) in DRC. It provides an analysis of funding decisions made during the year, and it quantifies results achieved by the ERF in It also provides details on achievements, challenges and results of the fund during 2011 (January to December). During the year, the ERF supported five projects implemented by five NGOs for US$1,027,565. Implementing partners reported that the humanitarian assistance was delivered to 107,267 vulnerable beneficiaries. The funds used to finance the projects in 2011 came from the balance remaining of contributions from prior years. The total available for project financing at the beginning of 2011 was US$1,240,016. No new contributions were received from traditional donors during the year. The report highlights the specific nature of the ERF funding window available to the humanitarian community and partners in DRC to deliver humanitarian assistance to populations in distress and in need of urgent assistance. The humanitarian challenges and needs in DRC remain very high. In addition to the other common humanitarian funding mechanisms in the DRC, such as the Pooled Fund and the CERF, the ERF should be considered an emergency mechanism to ensure an effective and timely delivery of the humanitarian assistance in response to unforeseen small-scale urgent crises. With best regards Fidèle Sarassoro Humanitarian Coordinator 2

4 Executive Summary The Emergency Response Fund in 2011 In 2011, the Emergency Response Fund (ERF) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), known as the Rapid Response Fund, allocated US$1,027,565 to implement five projects using funding carried-over from the previous year. These five projects provided humanitarian support to around 107,267 vulnerable persons throughout the country. The ERF was established with the opening of the OCHA office in DRCin Since then, it has existed under different appellations such as Quick Impact Projects, Emergency Humanitarian Intervention, and until the end of 2011, the Rapid Response Fund. Until June 2010, the ERF was managed by the OCHA Coordination Section. After an internal reorganization of OCHA DRC, the oversight of all the funding mechanisms, including the POOLED FUND, CERF, and ERF, were put under the responsibility of the Humanitarian Coordinator, supported by the Joint Humanitarian Financing Unit (former Pooled Fund Unit). This present report, which is the first one made separately for the ERF in DRC, attempts to offer a comprehensive overview of the achievements, challenges and results of this Fund in DRC covering the period from January to December The Objective of the Emergency Response Fund Keeping in mind the 2011 strategic objectives defined in the DRC Humanitarian Action Plan, and the availability of funding through the Pooled Fund, which is the largest funding source of humanitarian projects in DRC, the Emergency Response Fund attempts to finance projects that fall under the following objectives: Respond without delay to small-scale crises and/or humanitarian emergencies that are not eligible for funding through the Common Humanitarian Fund (Pooled Fund) with focus on the need to save lives and prevent the emergence of larger humanitarian crises. Provide primarily NGOs and exceptionally UN agencies with an initial emergency financing window for sudden and small-scale humanitarian crises to support needs of vulnerable communities. Therefore, the ERF should be considered as an urgent humanitarian funding source in addition to the Pooled Fund and CERF. Contributions to the ERF in 2011 During 2004 and 2005, the ERF received contributions from traditional donors such as UK/DfID and Sweden. However, since 2005, the ERF in DRC did not receive dedicated contributions from donors. The resources used to finance projects came from the balance remaining from contributions from previous years. It is important to note that since 2006, following the establishment of the DRC Pooled Fund; the Pooled Fund has been the only source of funding for the ERF in DRC. At the end of 2011, having used almost all available ERF resources, the Humanitarian Coordinator allocated US$1 million of Pooled Fund Reserve funding to the ERF to ensure the Fund s continued viability. ERF Results and Achievements in 2011 This report provides details on the results and achievements of the five projects implemented in All the five projects implemented in 2011 were completed, audited, and final payments owed to the implementing agencies were made. Thus, the information provided in this report is accurate and reflects the expenditures reported as per the audit reports received and certified by OCHA Geneva. Challenges for 2012 and the Forthcoming Years The main challenge for 2012 and future years is to make the ERF an effective and rapid support of humanitarian response by focusing on small sudden emergencies that cannot be covered by existing mechanisms such as the Pooled Fund, the CERF and other. 3

5 2011 Humanitarian context A Continuing Complex Emergency Throughout 2011, much of the DRC remained in a state of complex humanitarian emergency. Large sections of the population were at risk to different crises, including attacks by armed groups, forced displacement, violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws, land disputes, natural disasters, and epidemics of measles and cholera. These crises were compounded by the chronic poverty and generalized lack of access to basic health, education, water and sanitation. Basic indicators for maternal and child mortality, malnutrition, food security, school enrolment remain alarming. IDPs and Refugees During 2011 there were close to 1.7 million internally displaced people in the DRC, with over 630,000 in Sud Kivu and 397,000 in Province Orientale. Armed fighting continues to be the main cause of displacement. In addition to the internally displaced, more than 426,800 Congolese refugees live in neighbouring countries, while the DRC itself is home to 147,993 refugees, mostly from Angola. Repatriation operations are ongoing for Burundian and Angolan refugees and the repatriation of 81,000 DRC refugees from Equateur living in the neighbouring Republic of Congo is planned for Over 100,000 illegal Congolese migrant workers have been deported from Angola to the Bas-Congo, Bandundu and both Kasai provinces, up from an estimated 68,000 in Those deported often accuse Angolan authorities of human rights violations; however these reported violations have not discouraged Congolese from travelling to Angola to work. Humanitarian Access Insecurity and poor or non-existent road networks are the two main obstacles to humanitarian access. The situation remains dangerous for humanitarian actors, especially in Sud Kivu where five aid workers were killed during the year. In Province Orientale, in the zone bordering South Sudan and Central African Republic, the compounded effect of preventable diseases, activities of the Lord s Resistance Army (LRA) and generalized insecurity, poor roads, minimal state engagement has marginalized and impoverished thousands of families. Food Insecurity and Malnutrition More than 4.5 million people are in acute food and livelihood crisis. Food insecurity levels range between eight and 16 percent in Nord Kivu, Sud Kivu, Kasai Oriental, and Province Orientale. The large numbers of IDPs and generalized insecurity prevents farmers from cultivating are among the main reasons of the current crisis in conflict areas. Global Acute malnutrition (11 percent) and stunting (43 percent) rates remain very high, and over 7.7 million children suffer annually from malnutrition. Epidemics and Poor Access to Healthcare Access to healthcare remains very low, as is indicated by the infant and maternal mortality rates, estimated at 128 in 1,000 and 549 in 100,000 live births, respectively. The concurrent outbreak of several diseases has stressed the resilience of families and humanitarian response strategies have not yet succeeded. Over 29,600 cases of cholera and 1,015 deaths were reported in 2011, and the epidemic is continuing into Measles spread to all provinces, with 134,041 cases and 1,652 deaths reported during Polio is also resurgent, with 89 cases recorded in The DRC Humanitarian Action Plan In response to these multiple chronic and emergency challenges, the humanitarian community proposed a Humanitarian Action Plan for 2011 with US$ 719 million in identified humanitarian needs. During the year, the humanitarian needs for 2011 were revised upwards to US$ 736 million. The revision was caused by increased needs in the Health Cluster to ensure a response to the measles outbreak, and by recalculations of the needs of the Protection and Logistics Clusters. 4

6 Emergency Response Fund Democratic Republic of Congo 5

7 Information on Contributors Since 2006, the year of the launch of the DRC Pooled Fund, the ERF has not received any contributions from traditional donors. The traditional donors to the DRC ERF became the primary donors to the Pooled Fund, and they stopped providing resources to the ERF. During 2011, the ERF utilized only the balance of funding remaining from 2010, US$ 1,240,016. The table below shows the history of the contributions received from 2004 to date by the ERF in DRC. The inclusion of UNDP on the donor list represents the Pooled Fund contributions to the ERF through its Administrative Agent, UNDP. ERF Donor contributions since 2004 (in US$) Donor Amount UK 836,616 Sweden 841,098 UK 5,111,876 UNDP 939,386 UNDP 907,101 UNDP 984,918 UNDP 1,133,000 UNDP 500,000 UNDP 957,000 UNDP 1,000,000 United Kingdom Sweden United Kingdom UNDP UNDP UNDP UNDP 0,84 0,84 0,96 1,00 1,84 2,61 5, Pooled Fund Reserve provides the Humanitarian Coordinator with a mechanism to respond to unforeseen emergencies. However, the Reserve remains a strategic and exceptional mechanism. The ERF, on the contrary, has established emergency funding guidelines. Success story in 2011 Saving lives for the better future, our first goal Below is a success story of a nutritional project funded by the ERF in The project was implemented by ACF USA in Bandundu province. Only 5 years old, this little girl was suffering from severe malnutrition. She was hospitalized at Kahemba Therapeutic Feeding Centre (TFC) with the support of funding received through the 2011 ERF project implemented by ACF USA. Despite its lack of external donor resources, the ERF continues to serve as an important humanitarian funding mechanism in addition to the other Pooled Fund funding sources in the DRC. The ERF has several key advantages over the Pooled Fund for certain kinds of emergency responses: Unlike the Pooled Fund, where the implementation of NGO projects is managed by UNDP, all ERF projects are managed by OCHA. UNDP administered projects must follow UNDP rules and regulations, which, because they are designed for long-term development programmes, are not always reactive, and therefore inappropriate for emergency crisis response. OCHA direct management can shorten the time required for response. Furthermore, while the Pooled Fund addresses the needs identified through the Humanitarian Action Plan (HAP), the ERF focuses on sudden small-scale crises that cannot normally be addressed through the Pooled Fund. The At her arrival at the Therapeutic Feeding Centre of Kahemba. Credit: ACF USA/ERF project Two weeks after her arrival at the Therapeutic Feeding Centre of Kahemba. Credit: ACF USA/ERF project A clinical examination revealed an altered general state of malnutrition characterized by (the presence of nutritional oedema on the feet and hands with skin peeling on some parts of the body. Because her appetite test was negative, she was admitted with a mixed case (marasmic-kwash) of severe malnutrition with medical complications. The second picture above was taken a few days before her transfer to the Supplementary Feeding Centre (SFC) after confirmation that the toast test was positive and the medical complications overcome. 6

8 Fund Overview At the beginning of year 2011, the available amount for the DRC ERF was US$ 1,240,016, which corresponds with the balance remaining from previous years. Summary of ERF Allocations in 2011 In 2011, five projects were funded through the Emergency Response Fund in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. ERF projects approved in 2011 Type Partner Cluster Province Duration Budget (months) in US$ PRIMAR NNGO Logistic Sud Kivu 3 66,245 SYNERGIE INGO CARE International Food Security Nord Kivu 3 299,897 INGO CESVI Water and Sanitation Haut Uele 5 147,492 NNGO AFEDEM Logistic Sud Kivu 5 292,315 Fund distribution per cluster Health (Nutrition) 21,6% Food Security 29,2% INGO ACF USA Health (Nutrition) Bandundu 2 221,616 Total 1,027,565 Logistic 34,9% Water and Sanitation 14,4% Four out of the five projects were implemented in eastern DRC in areas identified as zones in conflict as per the definition provided by the HAP Only one project was implemented in the stabilized zones. In addition to the projects listed above, the ERF sub-unit finalized the payment of three outstanding final advances for 3 projects that were implemented in 2007 and This could be explain by lack of dedicate and proper monitoring of ERF projects before July 2010 which marks the internal reorganization of OCHA that led to put the daily oversight and management ERF projects under the Humanitarian Financing Unit (former Pooled Fund Unit). Outstanding balances for old ERF projects cleared in 2011 Organization Project Code Year Amount in US$ Caritas Germany OCHA-05-RRF ,643 Solidarité International OCHA-05-RRF ,711 Première Urgence OCHA-01-RRF ,000 Total 150,354 7

9 The following table illustrates the financial status of the ERF in the beginning of year The second table shows the distribution of allocated funds by type of partners and projects. Requested for 2011 Carry over from 2010 Amount received in 2011 Total available in 2011 in US$ in US$ in US$ in US$ N/A 1,240,016 1,002,792 2,242,808 Distribution of funds by type of partner and project in 2011 Disbursed ERF funds in 2011 by partner type in US$ UN Agencies 0 International NGOs National NGOs Funds distribution by type of partner Nat. NGOs Intern. NGOs Disbursed ERF funds in 2011 by project type in US$ Emergency response 521, ,005 Preparedness 358, ,560 Innovative 147,492 Total 1,027,565 Total 1,027,565 Funds distribution by type of project Prepar Innov. Emerg Resp. 8

10 Results of DRC ERF Projects per Cluster Overview of Logistic cluster Number of projects Allocated budget in US$ Implementing agencies Geographic Area 1 66,245 Primar Synergie Fizi territory, South Kivu province 1 292,315 Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM) Number of beneficiaries: Targeted 83,500 Achieved 80,100 Rate 95,9% Outputs Gender consideration: 24,700 girls; 23,200 women; 21,500 boys and 14,600 men Kalehe territory, South Kivu province Achieved project results: 80,100 persons newly accessible; 1,000 m of runway rehabilitated by intensive labour; seven rural bridges rehabilitated and 24 km of rural road rehabilitated by intensive labour. ERF s added value to the project: Most remote localities in the DRC are inaccessible due to poor and/or non-existent road infrastructure. Roads and bridges are in poor condition following either insufficient maintenance or damage caused by ongoing conflicts. The two logistics projects provided humanitarian support and assistance to about 80,100 persons including IDPs and host families in both Fizi and Kalehe territories by rehabilitating seven bridges and 24 K of a rural road. Considering the rapidity and flexibility required by the intervention, the ERF was the only available funding source that could cover this need. PRIMAR Synergie Project in South Kivu Réhabilitation de la piste d atterrissage de Fizi Picture (1): The runway at the beginning of the project Picture (2): The runway at the levelling stage 9

11 Overview of Water and Sanitation cluster Number of projects Allocated budget in US$ Implementing agencies Geographic Area 1 166,846 CESVI Dungu territory, Haut Uélé district, Orientale Province Outputs Number of beneficiaries: Targeted 7,535 Achieved 7,774 Rate 103,2% Gender consideration: 829 children (age of 0 to 59 months); 3,843 women and 2,863 men Achieved Project results: 7,774 persons have access to safe water; 1,521 family toilets constructed; 7,774 persons have been made aware about the risk associated with waterborne diseases, and the need for hygienic living conditions in their environment. ERF s added value to the project: With the rapid and flexible support of ERF funding sources, the risk and potential spread of waterborne diseases were significantly mitigated. This project enabled 7,774 persons to have access to potable water of sufficient quantity and quality and improved their living conditions. (4) CESVI Project in Ituri Amélioration des conditions d hygiène et assainissement des populations vivant sur l axe Kpaika Nambia Duru Nakale Bitima Picture (1): Semi-durable toilet built with bricks for public use at a school (above left) Picture (2): Emergency toilet built with tarpaulin and wooden boards (left) Picture (3): Family toilet made with sticks and tarpaulin (above right) Picture (4): Public lavatory coupled to a tank for collecting rainwater (above middle) Overview of Food Security cluster 10

12 Overview of Food Security cluster Number of projects Allocated budget in US$ Implementing agencies Geographic Area 1 299,897 CARE International Masisi territory, North Kivu province Outputs Number of beneficiaries: Targeted 15,325 Achieved 15,318 Rate 99,9% Gender consideration: The final narrative report of the project states that 73% of beneficiaries (11.183) were women Achieved Project results: each of the 3,065 households (representing about 15,325 persons) received a voucher worth US$33 to purchase food through two fairs organized with the support of CARE International. ERF s added value to the project: The ERF funding provided food in emergency to 3,065 displaced and hosting families (15,325 vulnerable persons) in Masisi territory. mixed case (marasmic-kwash) CARE International Project in North Kivu Assistance alimentaire à travers un système de cash & voucher pour familles nouvellement déplacées Picture (1): A young disabled boy showing the food voucher Picture (2): Women beneficiaries using their vouchers to purchase food on the local market during the organized fair Picture (3): The display of one of the authorized vendors at the fair 11

13 Overview of Health (Nutrition) cluster Number of projects Allocated budget in US$ Implementing agencies Geographic Area 1 221,616 ACF USA Kahemba territory, Kwango district, Bandundu province Outputs Number of beneficiaries: Targeted 2,020 Achieved 4,075 Rate 200.1% Type of Beneficiaries: 1,800 children under 59 months and 220 adults. Achieved Project results: 3,435 children with acute and severe malnutrition admitted and treated; 612 malnourished children discharged and cured; 256 health workers trained; 350 community volunteers trained, 9900 children screened for malnutrition (6300 active screening and 3600 active screening); 13 Therapeutic Feeding Centres equipped and 55 Supplementary Feeding Centres operational. ERF s added value to the project: Funded in early January 2011, this project potentially saved the lives of 612 children affected by severe malnutrition in Bandundu province. The ERF was the only possible, quick and flexible response to fight against this crisis that appeared just after the finalization of Pooled Fund (CHF) 2010 second standard allocation. Picture (2): Anthropometric measurements taken by a nurse at the Mulanga Supplementary Feeding Centre located in health zone Mugindu, Kahemba territory in Bandundu province. ACF USA Project in Bandundu Réhabilitation nutritionnelle d urgence dans les Territoires en crise nutritionnelle dans le District du Kwango, Province du Bandundu Picture (1): Above, the girl on the right is suffering from severe advanced malnutrition waiting for the distribution of Plumpy Nut in the Supplementary Feeding Centre. 12

14 Summary and analysis of achievements With a total funding of US$ 1,027,565 in 2011 in DRC, the ERF has provided humanitarian support to 107,267 persons in distress through the implementation of five projects in Logistics, Water and Sanitation (WASH), Food Security and Health (Nutrition) clusters. Looking at the results, Logistics projects had the highest impact in terms of number of beneficiaries. The two Logistics projects enabled new access to an entire locality, territory or a district to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Without the support offered by logistics projects, it would be very difficult to reach vulnerable peoples located in remote areas. Number of beneficiaries reached per cluster in 2011 Number of beneficiaries % beneficiaries per cluster Logistic 83, % WASH 7, % Food Security 15, % Health (Nutrition) 4, % Total 107, % Of all the beneficiaries reached through ERF projects in 2011, 77 per cent were reached through logistics projects. After Logistics, the Food Security cluster reached 14.2 percent of the beneficiaries, WASH cluster with 6.9 percent and finally Health (nutrition) projects with 1.9 percent of the beneficiaries. Number of beneficiaries by cluster (in %) Logistic Water and Sanitation 6,9 77,0 The five projects implemented in 2011 contributed to the following results and achievements: Logistic cluster 1 Number of persons newly accessible Target 83,500 Achieved 80,100 Rate 95.9% 2 Number of km of road rehabilitated Target 30 Achieved 24 Rate 80.0% 3 Number of bridges rehabilitated Target 7 Achieved 7 Rate 100.0% 4 Number of meters of runway rehabilitated Target 1,200 Achieved 1,000 Rate 83.3% For the Logistic cluster, most of the targeted results were achieved with an average of 97 per cent. The exception came for the PRIMAR Synergie project. Indeed, this project has been funded at 80% (first advance only) because the partner had experienced financial problems. Therefore, this partner was not able to pre-finance the remaining 20% of the budget to be reimbursed at the submission of final financial and audit reports (as per ERF Guidelines). Water and Sanitation cluster 5 Number of persons having access to safe water Target 7,535 Achieved 7,774 Rate 103.2% Food Security Health (Nutrition) 1,9 14,2 6 Number of family toilets constructed Target 1,507 Achieved 1,521 Rate 99.1% 13

15 For the Water and Sanitation cluster, the targeted results have been achieved with an average rate of 101 per cent. The project implemented by CESVI was very relevant as it contributed to the reduction of the prevalence of waterborne diseases, especially cholera, in the targeted areas. Food Security cluster 7 Number of household that received a voucher of US$33 and were able to purchase needed food Target 3,065 Achieved 3,064 Rate 99,9% The Pooled Fund can only cover projects with Food Aid component can be covered through the Reserve on an exceptional basis. Therefore, this ERF project helped to provide emergency food aid support to 3,065 targeted and displaced households for duration of 3 months. The targeted results were fully achieved as 99,9 per cent of the households received a voucher of US$33 to purchase needed food during two different fairs organized with the support and oversight of CARE International. Rate 45.3% 10 Number of personal of TFC/SFC trained Target 570 Achieved 642 Rate 88.7% 11 Number of equipped and operational TFC/SFC Target 68 Achieved 68 Rate 100% The project implemented by ACF USA in Bandundu province was an emergency life-saving project. With the funds received, the implementing agency managed to save lives of 612 children suffering from acute and severe malnutrition. The rate of 43.3 per cent for the achieved result regarding children discharged and cured is in accordance with the project duration which was 2 months only. Following the monitoring made at the end of the project, ACF USA is still working in this area to provide assistance in the specific are of nutrition. Health (nutrition) cluster 8 Number of beneficiaries admitted to therapeutic or supplementary feeding centres (TFC/SFC) Target 1,800 Achieved 3,435 Rate 190.8% 9 Number of children discharged and cured Target 1,350 Achieved

16 Project Monitoring The monitoring and evaluation of ERF projects implemented in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was performed in 2011 with support from the clusters. Following the Humanitarian Coordinator s approval to finance support for strengthening of the clusters, the Joint Humanitarian Financing Unit (JHFU) took steps to ensure that all Pooled Fund and ERF projects can be monitored with the support of cluster focal points located in each province. During 2011, the JHFU worked closely with different clusters to ensure a close monitoring of implemented ERF projects as per the three following stages: - a desk technical review of the proposal received before approval by the Humanitarian Coordinator - at least one monitoring mission on the field to assess project implementation or - one final evaluation mission to ensure good achievement of target results. Logistic cluster projects The two ERF projects implemented in South Kivu province by PRIMAR Synergie and AFEDEM were closely monitored with the support of logistic cluster focal point local in South Kivu (see pictures next). The Logistic cluster focal point was the most active as he managed to undertake at least one monitoring mission for each of the two implemented project. Other cluster projects Unlike the logistic cluster, the other clusters did not manage to ensure a close monitoring of ERF projects during This is due to various reasons of which security volatile situation and project located in very remote place is the main relevant. However in 2012, the JHFU will make sure that coordination is improved to ensure close monitoring of all implemented ERF projects. Monitoring mission in South Kivu province Logistic support unavoidable for humanitarian action in the field Pictures showing a monitoring mission undertaken by logistic cluster colleagues from WFP to evaluate the results achieved for the ERF project implemented by AFEDEM in 2011 in South Kivu province (project entitled: Ouverture de la route Kalungu-Numbi (30 Km) dans le territoire de Kalehe ). Credit: AFEDEM/Logistic ERF project in South Kivu 15

17 Conclusion During 2011, the humanitarian context in DRC remained marked by a volatile military situation in the east characterized by mass displacement. The west, although identified as stabilised zone during the year, remains subject to occasional emergencies that are mostly caused by the lack of basic infrastructure, lack of social services and the insufficient delivery of basic needs to the population. With a humanitarian crisis lasting for over 10 years, the country has gradually fallen into a chronic emergency. The needs remain enormous and persist throughout the country. The funds received through the CERF, Pooled Fund, ERF, and other bilateral or multilateral humanitarian donors are not able to meet all the needs, and gaps often remain. It is within this context that the ERF has funded five projects to address small-scale emergencies and crises. With modest resources, the ERF in the DRC implemented only five projects in 2011, but these projects assisted more than 100,000 people. These five projects likely saved the lives of malnourished children, restored access to difficult and remote areas for thousands of people, and provided access potable water to reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases. Projects funded through the ERF meet different criteria from projects funded through the Pooled Fund including the focus on small-scale emergencies and crises, and the requirement of rapid and short intervention. These specific criteria were utilized to select the five projects funded ERF during The strict and narrow criteria of the response available through the ERF are important to be responsive to small emergencies and to justify the existence of the fund in the same country as a Pooled Fund. The ERF criteria should thus be narrower than those of the Pooled Fund while both funds should remain complementary. In 2011, the Emergency Response Fund attempted to limit interventions to humanitarian emergencies to retain a high preparedness and response capacity. Through the ERF, OCHA DRC was able to promptly respond to small-scale emergencies within 20 to 35 days (from receipt of the proposal to the first advance payment equivalent to 80 per cent of budget). This timeframe will be shortened during 2012 to improve response capacity and efficiency of the ERF. For 2012, the ERF in DRC will be challenged to: Improve the effectiveness of the ERF by increasing the rapidity of the response, especially in terms of advancing disbursements to implementing partners. Speed-up the process of endorsement, clearance, and final approval of project proposals to be responsive to the emergency nature of these proposals. Enhance the monitoring and evaluation process by involving the cluster. During 2011, the Logistic cluster was systematically involved in monitoring, but further coordination is required for the other clusters. Develop new guidelines with stricter emergency response criteria that clearly define which crises are eligible for funding through the ERF. Through successful implementation of these steps, the ERF in 2012 and forthcoming years will be the most appropriate tool to respond to small scale and unforeseen emergencies, currently not available in the DRC. Therefore, OCHA will advocate for increased utilisation of the ERF in DRC. 16

18 Glossary ACF Action Contre la Faim (Action Against Hunger) AFEDEM Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (i.e. Support for Poor Women and Marginalized Children) CERF Central Emergency Response Fund CESVI Cooperazione e Sviluppo CHF Common Humanitarian Fund DfID Department for International Development DRC Democratic Republic of Congo ERF Emergency Response Fund HAP Humanitarian Action Plan IDP Internal Displaced Person INGO International Non-Governmental Organization JHFU Joint Humanitarian Financing Unit NGOs Non-Governmental Organization NNGO National Non-Governmental Organization OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs SFC Supplementary Feeding Centre SOP Standard Operating TFC Therapeutic Feeding Centre UK United Kingdom UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme 17