Page Contents:
About
Humanitarian Affairs focuses on humanitarian operations around the world working to administer aid to the people who need it the most. Humanitarian Affairs, and in particular the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's), are an important sector of the United Nations work.
The United Nations Association of New Zealand recognises the importance of the MDG's, and is committed to educating New Zealanders on the importance of these goals and encourage individuals to do what they can to make poverty history.
On this page you will find information about what New Zealanders can do to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals, what other NGOs and individuals are doing around the world to promote change and development, and current events and news about events related to humanitarian affairs.
^Return to Top
Special Officer for Humanitarian Affairs
Mikael Gartner, Christchurch
Email: humanitarianaffairs@unanz.org.nz
^Return to Top
UN Agencies for Humanitarian Affairs
► United Nations Humanitarian Affairs Agencies
► UN GA Third Committee: Social, Humanitarian, & Cultural
► The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
► UN Economic and Social Council
► UNICEF
► Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees
► UN Humanitarian Assistance, and Assistance to Refugees
► United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs
► United Nations Development Program - Crisis Prevention and Recovery
► World Food Program
UN Recruitment for Humanitarian Affairs
► OCHA Recruitment
► UN Volunteers
► UNICEF Employment
► UN Development Program Jobs
New Zealand Organisations for Humanitarian Affairs
► New Zealand Aid Programme
► OXFAM
^Return to Top
Report to the UNANZ Nactional Council in February 2013
The following is a compilation of completed and future projects for UNANZ Humanitarian Affairs since late 2012. Please do not hesitate to contact me if additional projects and goals are required to meet the National Committee’s objectives and goals.
Completed Projects:
Public Affairs Outreach:
Pecha Kucha Presentations by Mikaël Gartner in Auckland and Wellington on personal experiences at the Haiti UN INSARAG Urban Search and Rescue Response: “Lessons from the Deeply Entombed.”
Graham Hassall to present at Pecha Kucha Night in Wellington (expected June) to promote the work of UNANZ.
Internal Outreach: Update to UNANZ members on the Hurricane Evan Disaster in Samoa, with information on how to donate to NGOs
.
Current Projects:
Writing a letter to NZ Fire and MFAT in support of UN INSARAG classification as a Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Team.
Meeting with Red Cross Refugee Services in Christchurch in early February to review the organisation’s transition from being Government run. Will also discuss how UNANZ can support this.
Ongoing/Monitoring
Continuous monitoring of GDACS, IRIN, and other disaster alert networks for disasters in the Asia Pacific Region. In the instance of a disaster, situation reports are reviewed and NGO organisations are contacted to verify how UNANZ members can assist (usually donations)
Review of UN OCHA, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP and the World Food Program for Conventions and Recommendations; and verifying New Zealand position.
Goals for 2013:
Using Social Media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) to increase visibility of UNANZ to youth, chapters, Government, and NGO organisations.
Find Point of Contact and Develop working Relationship with the following:
- Government Organizations: MFAT, NZAID
- NGOs: Oxfam, Red Cross, Refugee Services, RedR, CID and UNWomen.
- Outreach:
- Coordinate presentation at TedEx
- Coordinate outreach presentations to Schools & Universities
- Presentation at a minimum of 2 UNANZ chapters on a Humanitarian Affairs Issues (coordinate with Pecha Kucha and invite members).
- Contacting New Zealand Universities and promoting Internships at various UN Humanitarian related agencies. (Created a poster handout and forward to University Career centers, post on UNANZ website).
- Development of 1 position paper for UNANZ to forward to NZ Government.
Current Issues & Reports from the Special Officer for Humanitarian Affairs
By Mikaël Gartner, SO Humanitarian Affairs
Your assistance as UNANZ members in support of this emergency is much appreciated.
World Vision is currently assisting displaced people in the Solomon Islands (Lata and Temotu province). World Vision will assist with procuring water for households and help with debris clearance. Further assessments will continue in the morning.
To donate to the Solomon Islands, contact:
Contact
Tropical Cyclone Evan & Typhoon Bopha (Pablo) – Situation and Donations
By Mikaël Gartner, So Humanitarian Affairs
Your assistance as UNANZ members in support of these emergencies is much appreciated.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has published several situation reports on ReliefWeb (http://reliefweb.int/) concerning Tropical Cyclone Evan and the humanitarian response for Typhoon Bopha.
Samoa/Fiji – Tropical Cyclone Evan
In the wake of Tropical Cyclone Evan, in Samoa, several Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations have deployed to the region to evaluate, assess, and provide humanitarian aid. It is expected that current damage and islands in the path of Evan will have a high humanitarian impact.
The New Zealand Government is currently assessing the situation and determining what type of aid to deploy to the region.
The New Zealand Red Cross has deployed a senior operations manager to Samoa, while the Samoan Red Cross has deployed disaster volunteers to assess the area. To donate to the Red Cross for this response, go to http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate and selecting the Pacific Disaster Response Fund.
Several other NGOs are also accepting donations for Samoa. The island of Fiji is preparing for Evan and may also require humanitarian assistance and donations.
Philippines – Typhoon Bopha
Typhoon Bopha is considered an “open emergency” according to the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS). “Of the 778,226 people displaced, 87 per cent are staying outside evacuation centres, often nearby the remains of their homes. Current reports indicate 740 people are dead and 890 still missing.” For additional situation reports, visit http://www.gdacs.org/ and http://reliefweb.int/
Oxfam and the Humanitarian Response Consortium (HRC) have begun an emergency response in Mindanao, targeting communities hardest hit by Typhoon Bopha. Current priorities of response include providing clean/safe drinking water, establishing basic sanitation facilities and providing cash and starting cash-for-work projects to help families buy food, clothing and other shelter needs.
To Donate to this response call Oxfam at 0800 400 66 or donate online at http://www.oxfam.org.nz/cart/checkout/5024
To learn more about the Humanitarian Response Consortium, go to: http://www.singledrop.org/humanitarian-response-consortium/
Contact
If you have any questions or requests, please do not hesitate to email Mikaël Gartner, UNANZ SO Humanitarian Affairs: humanitarianaffairs@unanz.org.nz.
^Return to Top