Humanitarian Supply Management and Logistics in the Health Sector

Chapter 4: Coordination 31
United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams
are groups of professionals who can be convened by the United Nations
under the coordination of OCHA, at the request of an affected country,
to carry out rapid assessment of priority needs and support the national
authorities and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the coordination
of international relief aid on the ground. These teams are
appointed and funded by U.N. member governments and by OCHA,
UNDP and operational humanitarian United Nations agencies such as
WFP, UNICEF and WHO. Web site: http://www.reliefweb.int/undac
World Food Program (WFP)
The World Food Program (WFP) provides and coordinates food assistance
and is frequently assigned the coordination of general logistics in
large-scale emergencies. Its “Food for Work” program provides temporary
livelihoods to the affected population during the rehabilitation and
reconstruction stage. Web site: http://www.wfp.org
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
The mission of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) is to protect refugees and search for sustainable solutions to
their problems. It coordinates all assistance to refugees. Web site:
http://www.unhcr.ch
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
The main concerns of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are
the health, education and welfare of women and children in developing
countries. It has mechanisms in place to cover their needs during emergencies,
including food, water, sanitation, health care, and social services.
Web site: http://www.UNICEF.org
World Health Organization (WHO)
The World Health Organization (WHO) is in charge of coordinating
international health action. The Pan American Health Organization
(PAHO) and other regional WHO offices act as focal points for national
health authorities and donors when disasters strike. WHO can provide
technical cooperation aimed at assessing health needs, coordinating
international health assistance, managing the stocks and distribution of
supplies, carrying out epidemiological surveillance, establishing measures
for disease control, assessing environmental health, managing
health services, and estimating the costs of assistance projects. WHO also
promotes the implementation and use of the SUMA system for humanitarian
supply management. Web sites: http://www.who.org and
http://www.paho.org