Humanitarian and Development Nexus in Protracted Emergencies

A strong consensus emerged at the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) in 2016 among Member States regarding the need for the humanitarian and development sectors to align more effectively around collective outcomes and work jointly on analysis and data collection, planning against multi-year planning frameworks and to collaborate at the country level and increase the coherence of aid deployment. Many participants called for reform of the international system to shift from the supply oriented model to one that is demand driven and that invest in local leadership. Member States also called to not only meet needs, but also to reduce vulnerabilities and better manage risk in efforts to secure a better trajectory towards sustainable development.

Established by the UN General Assembly in 1992 to serve as the primary mechanism for inter-agency coordination relating to humanitarian assistance, the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) main purpose is to improve effectiveness of humanitarian action by coordinating its activities, assigning responsibilities and sharing resources and knowledge. 

A Task Team on the humanitarian and development Nexus in protracted crises was established in 2016 and is a subsidiary body, chaired jointly by UNDP and the World Health Organization (WHO) and composed of technical experts from across the UN system and beyond to serve to advance the IASC’s strategic priorities through policy work.

The support UNDP provides to the IASC and other key bodies, is aligned with the priority to implement the Agenda 2030 and the ambition of leaving no one behind. UNDP also commits to take forward the commitments emanating from the WHS – including on a joint humanitarian-development-peacebuilding agenda, early warning and preparedness, risk reduction, and solutions to forced displacement.

UNDP serves the Task Team by promoting joint approaches that transcend institutional siloes and reinforce coherence with tangible results at country level.

Further Information

Contact: Sara Sekkenes, Conflict Prevention & Partnerships Advisor - sara.sekkenes@undp.org