In 1991, the United Nations General Assembly agreed on a framework for humanitarian coordination, preparedness and response through General Assembly Resolution 46/182. The resolution created the chief foundation for humanitarian coordination in the United Nations system by institutionalizing cooperation between the major humanitarian organizations in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. It also established the post of under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, supported by what later became the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, known as OCHA. In the 20 years since resolution 46/182 passed, the humanitarian system has undergone several reforms in reaction to the evolving humanitarian realities on the ground.

Project objectives

OCHA used the resolution’s 20th anniversary to both study the history of humanitarian coordination and to look into the future. A confluence of global trends – such as the increased frequency of natural disasters, the changing nature of armed conflict, urbanization, global shifts in wealth – will change the way humanitarian assistance is administered and managed. OCHA asked GPPi researchers Julia Steets and Claudia Meier to lead the research for a study about the implications of future trends on humanitarian action. The paper aimed to provide forward-looking guidance for the emergency relief coordinator, OCHA and their humanitarian partners. To do so, the researchers conducted interviews and held workshops with UN member states, senior OCHA staff and representatives of major humanitarian organizations in New York and Geneva.

For more information on this project, please contact Julia Steets.