icrc-annual-report-2013

The modes of action used by the ICRC depend on the situation,the problems encountered and the objectives to be achieved. Theyaim to make the relevant actors aware of and fulfil their responsibilities.The ICRC does not limit itself to any one of them; onthe contrary, it combines them, striking a balance between themeither simultaneously or consecutively.LEVELS OF INTERVENTIONThe activities carried out under the ICRC’s programmes are conductedat the following complementary levels to reach commonobjectives in aid of the populations affected, including their earlyrecovery:..preventing or alleviating the immediate effects of anemerging or established pattern of abuse or problem(responsive action)..restoring dignified living conditions through rehabilitation,restitution and reparation (remedial action)..fostering a social, cultural, institutional and legalenvironment conducive to respect for IHL and/or otherfundamental rules protecting persons in situations of violence(environment-building action)RESULT-BASED MANAGEMENTAt least once a year, on the basis of an analysis of the given situationand of the humanitarian issues, the ICRC defines objectiveswith plans of action and indicators for the coming year for eachcontext in which it operates. The plans of action and indicatorsdescribe how the ICRC aims to work towards the objectives inquestion. Changes in situations and humanitarian issues mayrequire objectives, plans of action and indicators to be revisedduring the year. Objectives and plans of action and indicatorsare organized according to target populations and list activitiesaccording to programme (see descriptions below).The accounting system is structured accordingly (see descriptionbelow).ICRC Appeals provide donors with information about these objectives,their plans of action and indicators and the correspondingbudget.The ICRC also produces an Annual Report, which provides information– descriptive, quantitative and financial – regarding thoseobjectives and plans of action and indicators.Whenever possible, the reporting is result-oriented. It includes adescription of the products and services resulting from processesthat use a combination of resources, and their effect or results atoutput, outcome or impact level.The ICRC works according to the following definitions of the terminologyused, adopted on the basis of a common understandingin existing literature:..input: human, technical, material and financial resources andlogistical means that enable a person/organization todo something..activity: any action or process through which inputs arecombined to generate goods and services (outputs)..output: the products, goods and services that people receive asa result of ICRC activities and that are expected to lead to theachievement of outcomes..outcome: short- and medium-term• short-term outcome: the likely, or achieved, short-termeffects of the output that are expected to lead to theachievement of medium-term outcomes• medium-term outcome: the likely, or achieved, mediumterm(1- to 5-year) effects of the short-term outcome that areexpected to contribute to the impact..impact: primary and secondary long-term effects to whichinterventions contribute, positively or negatively, directly orindirectly, intended or unintended. The ICRC, as any otheractor, is likely only to contribute to an impact.COORDINATIONBesides its close coordination and cooperation with its Movementpartners, notably with National Societies, the ICRC coordinatesits humanitarian response with all other actors – be they theauthorities, UN agencies, international, regional, national orfaith-based organizations – and acknowledges that coordinationof the humanitarian response is complex because of the diversityof humanitarian actors, particularly at regional and local level. Ithas adopted a pragmatic approach to institutional and operationalcoordination believing that humanitarian coordination should bereality-based and action-oriented.Through its participation in coordination meetings at regionaland field level, as well as bilateral discussions, the ICRC seeks tocontribute to: providing the best possible protection and assistancefor people affected by armed conflict and other situationsof violence; avoiding gaps and duplication; and ensuring that anyhumanitarian response supports both the people’s own resilienceto difficulties and their recovery efforts. It is firmly convinced thatthe needs of those affected should be met by those organizationsbest placed to do so in operational terms, including existing skills,available capabilities, access and funding in the context concerned.In the above fora, it does not hesitate to share with other humanitarianactors – to the extent compatible with its neutral, impartialand independent stance – its analysis of the context or securitysituation, results of needs assessments and its technical expertise.In order to preserve this strictly humanitarian approach, the ICRCfavours interaction with humanitarian actors operational on theground and has always refrained from being associated with anyapproach that involves objectives that are anything other thanhumanitarian. This has proved particularly useful in situations inwhich the UN plays a strong political role or is engaged in peaceoperations alongside humanitarian work. The ICRC remains outsidethe set-up of the UN agencies, the Inter-Agency StandingCommittee and the cluster system, yet attends meetings as a“standing invitee” or an observer to facilitate effective humanitariancoordination. The organization also maintains relationswith many other international actors, including the humanitarianbranches of regional inter-governmental organizations and internationalNGOs and their consortia, engaging them on issues ofhumanitarian action, coordination and policy-making.SERVICES AT HEADQUARTERSIn setting its headquarters objectives and plans of action, the ICRChas drawn up a standard list of six services, divided into threebroad categories. These are defined as follows:..Guidance• Environment scanning and analysis: services that analyseand monitor the organization’s environment12 | ICRC ANNUAL REPORT 2013