|
Sphere India Unified Response Strategy (URS): a model to take Sphere forward |
|
|
|
Monday, 24 November 2008 |
|
Sphere India Unified Response Strategy (URS) is an action-based project to build common understanding in different stakeholders for an organized and coordinated response. The vision is to bring various stakeholders at state level on a common platform, map the resources and capacities to identify gaps and overlaps and gradually build a common understanding for common assessment, common response plans, common monitoring and evaluation wherever possible. URS was conceived as an Inter agency concept from numerous discussions and debates among the INGO-NGO-UN community hosted by Sphere India. Agencies intended to shorten disaster response time, clarify roles and responsibilities, streamline processes and minimize duplication of relief efforts through a well-coordinated mechanism.
 | | Building No. 3, Flat No. 302/3, Sona Apartments,
Kaushilya Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 110016 (INDIA)
Phone: +91-11-46070374, 75; Fax: +91-11-46070379
Mobile: +91-9818666831
E-mail:
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Website: www.sphereindia.org.in |
In its phase I in 2007, URS was piloted in 3 Indian states of Assam, Bihar and Orissa. In phase II in 2008, it was extended to three other states of UP, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir. These states are highly vulnerable to cyclic floods and earthquakes. For more information on URS: www.sphereindia.org.in
Achievements:
1. Inter Agency groups were promoted /established in the states of Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, UP and J&K.
2. Common Assessment format was developed and used extensively for assessments.
3. Discussions were initiated to develop common monitoring and evaluation tool.
4. Regular sitreps were developed and shared.
5.
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
: An active platform exists on google groups for information sharing and communication.
6. Training and Capacity building of the member organisations
7. Regular meeting were held with the government officials for better policy directives and coordination.
8. A flash appeal and Advocacy note was intitiated highlightinh key gaps and concerns.
Lessons learnt and Way ahead:
While a lot was achieved through URS in its first two phases but a lot still remain desired. In phase ii, specifically in case of Bihar floods, though many ngos and bilaterals at national level were able to share information about the initial resources available with them for launching relief activities, still resource pooling have been a challenge experienced at all levels. It has also taken a considerable time to anticipate the nature of calamity and activation of the forum.
This has elaborated the need to integrate early warning mechanism, establishing protocols for quick activation and deactivation of URS, making more investment in preparedness at inter agency levels, organizational commitment and attention from the higher-level management towards coordinated activities and unified response and greater involvement of grassroots and community based organizations in the plan of action.
Read about the Sphere India Unified Response Strategy (URS) how it is structured and how it functions in practice.
Views: 9740
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. |
|
|
Comment this article