Why in the News?

??The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OHCA),  on Friday, launched an emergency aid appeal seeking $1.2 billion to help some 2.7 million people in Gaza and the West Bank.

About the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA):

• OCHA is part of the United Nations (UN) and focuses on humanitarian issues.
• It coordinates and leads UN responses to humanitarian crises worldwide.
• It was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1991.
• OCHA's goal is to save lives, protect people, and help those affected by disasters and conflicts.
• It works with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other partners to respond to emergencies.
• It provides funding to support relief efforts in crisis-affected regions.
• There are two types of pooled funds:
• The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) can provide financial support for emergencies anywhere on the globe.
• Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPFs) are specific to individual countries.
• These funds operate from two central hubs located in Geneva and New York, serving as global operational centres.
• The office works to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need.
• It has two headquarters locations, Geneva and New York, which act as centres of global operations.
• It helps plan and manage humanitarian responses, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
• OCHA promotes coordination among humanitarian organizations to avoid duplication and ensure better outcomes.