Managing External Relations - Disaster Management Center ...

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Managing External Relations
Knowledge Base
An up-to-date and in-depth knowledge and analysis of political and social issues.
Understanding of international protection laws, protection issues, and
mandates of UNHCR.
Awareness of national priorities and needs.
Understanding of agencies’ goals, activities and relationships in the network.
Awareness of changes in the international response system.
Understanding of situations and needs in the field.
Activities and Methods to Build External Relations Capacity
Identifying and establishing a network/networking skills.
Persuading, constructing arguments, and problem solving/negotiation skills.
Conducting informal and formal briefings/facilitation skills.
Participating in inter-agency and technical meetings.
Providing a weekly or monthly situation report/preparing briefing
packages/use of note verbales.
Maintaining an informal network with external relations and
public information professionals.
In this chapter, we briefly discuss the roles of some key agencies and groups with whom UNHCR
may form relationships. In addition, we discuss UN co-ordination and barriers to co-ordination. An
overview of UNHCR, including locations and functions, and descriptions of the Executive Committee
of the High Commissioner’s Programme (EXCOM), as well as other important organisations are found
in the Annexes. Annex 1 contains a diagram of the new UNHCR Headquarters structure.
Key Actors for External Relations
In emergencies, UNHCR works with the government of the host country and, increasingly, with the
country of origin. When there is no recognised government, UNHCR may act on its own authority as
stipulated in its mandate to assist refugees. UNHCR’s partners in emergency situations may include:
♦ Governments and Diplomatic Corps
♦ Other UN Agencies such as WFP, UNICEF, WHO, UNDP, OCHA and UNHCHR
♦ NGOs that specialise in advocacy and assistance for refugees and internally displaced persons
(e.g. Oxfam, MSF, IRC, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Helsinki Foundations)
♦ Para-governmental organisations (e.g. SRSA, EMERCOM,THW, GTZ)
♦ The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement which includes the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (IFRC), and National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies
♦ Regional Organisations (e.g. OAU, ECOWAS, EU, Council of Europe, OSCE, ASEAN)
♦ National or regional institutions (e.g. CDC in the USA, or the ADPC in Asia)
♦ The military (e.g. ECOMOG, SFOR)
♦ Refugees and refugee groups
♦ The local population and local interest groups
♦ Religious organisations