Overview
The importance of preparedness is widely recognized within the humanitarian system. When humanitarian actors take steps to prepare for imminent humanitarian crises, they mitigate their impact and reduce human suffering and loss.
The Preparedness Package for IDP Emergencies (PPIE) describes how UNHCR mainstreams preparedness in its emergency response strategies and programming. The PPIE examines the management of risk, focusing specifically on emergency situations characterized by internal displacement. It reaffirms existing standards; and it suggests practical measures that staff can take to enable UNHCR to respond promptly and operate effectively in IDP emergencies, fulfilling its obligations as an operational agency and its responsibility, under Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) arrangements, to lead the clusters on protection, on shelter and on camp coordination and camp management (CCCM).
Main guidance
When and for what purpose
The need for the tool has been highlighted in UNHCR 2017 Operational Review of UNHCR's Engagement in Situation of Internal Displacement, which recommended UNHCR to "adapt its agency-specific tools for preparedness planning for IDP situations, aligning them with the preparedness Package for Refugee Response (PRRE) and the IASC Emergency Response Preparedness Approach".
The PPIE provides specific guidance on how to prepare for situations of internal displacement. The tool is primarily designed for use by country operations.
Summary of guidance and/or options
The PPIE considers both dimensions of UNHCR's engagement in IDP emergency situations.
- As cluster lead agency in the areas of protection, shelter, and CCCM, UNHCR accepts responsibilities under IASC arrangements to achieve coordination, participation, and effective preparedness actions.
- As an operational agency, and cluster partner, UNHCR contributes to the humanitarian response by means of its operational planning and interventions, prioritizing areas of expertise in which UNHCR exercises cluster leadership.
The PPIE draws on concepts and approaches to preparedness that are already familiar from the Preparedness package for refugee emergencies. It contains:
- The main reference document. This tool is primarily relevant to UNHCR management staff in country operations who are responsible for taking decisions and providing guidance on emergency preparedness and response. It summarizes key concepts and actions that are relevant both at agency level and in inter-agency contexts.
- Associated checklists for Minimum Preparedness Actions (MPAs) and Advanced Preparedness Actions (APAs). This separate excel document is organised according to the different functional areas in UNHCR country operations, lists suggested preparedness actions, and embeds web links to key reference sources and documents. The checklists are not prescriptive; the aim is to help the preparedness focal points, who are members of their Country Operation's Multi-Functional team, to reflect on preparedness levels, increase their information and knowledge of key concepts, and obtain references that will assist them to facilitate preparedness processes.
- An annotated template for scenario-based contingency planning. This template is designed to support technical processes and harmonize approaches across UNHCR's IDP operations.
How to implement this at field level?
The PPIE is a practical guide that sets standards on how to:
1. Perform risk analysis
2. Implement Minimum Preparedness Actions (MPAs)
3. Implement Advanced Preparedness Actions (APAs), including a scenario-based contingency plan when appropriate.
Annexes
Links
Main contacts
UNHCR HQ, Division for Emergency Security and Supply (DESS), at: [email protected]