Introduction to the Emergency Response Fund in the Central African Republic, in support of humanitarian action (April 2008)

1. The Emergency Response Fund in the Central African Republic Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team Central African Republic Slide Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team CAR | www.hdptcar.net

2. Humanitarian funding increases Source: FTS (2008) 2004 2006 Funding to CAP projects increases from $3m in 2004 to more than $85 by August 2008 2005 2007 $9.8m $69.3m $2.9m $23.9m Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team CAR | www.hdptcar.net Slide $85.4m Aug 08 HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT

3. Humanitarian presence multiplies – January 2007 Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team CAR Paoua Bangui Kaga-Bandoro Bambari Birao Ndélé Sibut Bouar Bossangoa Bozoum Source: HDPT CAR / Mar 08 HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT Slide 500 km

4. Humanitarian presence multiplies – September 2008 04/06/09 Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team CAR Paoua Bangui Bambari Birao Nd élé Sibut Bouar Sam Ouandja Bossangoa Bozoum Bocaranga Source: HDPT CAR / Aug 08 Mbr és Kaga-Bandoro Kabo Gordil HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT 500 km

5. Why is the ERF relevant to the context in CAR? Slide Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team CAR | www.hdptcar.net HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT Donor environment: only one humanitarian donor with presence in country. ERF provides an opportunity for donors to engage in CAR with little administrative investment through a well structured mechanism which insures accountability, inclusiveness, and relevance The pattern of the crisis, mainly a protection crisis, does not allow for exhaustive, clear-cut sector needs assessments and the design of typical humanitarian response projects.. The flexibility of the ERF responds to this context. CAR is a land-locked, ill-equipped country with a poor road network and beneficiaries are spread all over the north. This means high programme set-up costs with low cost effectiveness. The ERF is crucial to cover start-up costs. 1 2 3 The design of the ERF in CAR responds to a specific context

10. ERF Flowchart: project cycle from submission to approval Slide Submits project Calls Advisory Board meeting (multisector, coordination, security projects) NGO / UN Cluster HC OCHA Cluster lead consults members on single sector projects Advisory Board Considers multisector, coordination, security projects Recommends project Rejects project Recommends project Rejects project Makes final decision May appeal to HC if project rejected Informs NGO of HC decision > next slide Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team CAR | www.hdptcar.net ERF PROJECT SELECTION

11. ERF Flowchart: project cycle from approval to final report Slide Approves project Informs NGO/UN agency of HC decision Drafts contract Submits work plan and signed contract (with bank details) Completes work plan and signs contract Disburses 1 st tranche Submits int. financial and progress report* Disburses 2 nd tranche project > $100 Submits final report Supports drafting of work plan, reports, etc. Submits intermediary financial report Disburses 3 rd tranche project > $200 HC UNDP NGO / UN OCHA Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team CAR | www.hdptcar.net ERF PROJECT ADMINISTRATION

13. Projects funded by the ERF since April 2007 Slide Bangui Kaga-Bandoro Birao Nd élé Sam Ouandja Bossangoa Bocaranga Source: HDPT CAR / Feb 08 Bozoum Bouar Ouanda-Djall é Ngaoun d. Paoua IPHD THE ERF AT WORK Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team CAR | www.hdptcar.net UNDSS 500 km UNHAS

14. Slide Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team CAR | www.hdptcar.net Photo: Pierre Holtz for OCHA ERF AT WORK Displaced people in Kabo now have access to safe drinking water

15. Slide Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team CAR | www.hdptcar.net Photo: Pierre Holtz for OCHA ERF AT WORK Medicines are delivered to the hospital in Ngaoundaye in the far northwest

16. One year ERF in CAR – key lessons learnt Slide Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team CAR | www.hdptcar.net LESSONS LEARNT HC plays central role, which requires specific training skills, in-depth knowledge of financial rules and sustained dedication Inclusiveness of the ERF mechanism requires a strong commitment from all stakeholders ( HC, clusters, Advisory Board, OCHA, UNDP, donors, etc.). If one fails, the whole mechanism is blocked. Consultations of stakeholders for the design of ERF objectives, scope and rules and dissemination of all supporting material, including FAQs, through the HDPT intranet helped bringing about an overall consensus, which in turn convinced donors. ERF perceived as NGO-oriented, which cannot directly access the CERF More donors have engaged in CAR thanks to the opportunity without substituting routine bilateral funding. ERF eases NGO implementation and programme start-up. It enhances NGO access to bilateral medium-term funding, allowing them to better balance support and programme costs in their proposals. 1 2 3 4 5 6