DISASTERS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE (DEC) RECEIVES AWARD ON WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY UK 19TH AUGUST 2011
On the 19th August every year OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) commemorates World Humanitarian Day. World Humanitarian Day is a day dedicated to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. It marks the day on which the then Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq, Sérgio Vieira de Mello and 21 of his colleagues were killed in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad.
World Humanitarian day Videos [copyright OCHA]
Universal Elite, a non-profit social enterprise (managed by the Talent Guru) organised a UK commemoration of World Humanitarian Day on the 19th August on the Kings Road in Chelsea, London. As a response to all the humanitarian tragedies that had occurred globally for the last couple of years. In recognition of the hard work and success of the UK fundraising efforts of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), we invited them to receive a special recognition award. The DEC was represented by Deputy Director Kathyrn Hendley who received the award from the chair of the London Diplomatic Association.
The Disasters Emergency Committee unites the 14 leading UK aid agencies in their efforts to finance relief for people suffering major disasters in poorer countries. For the current humanitarian appeals go to http://www.dec.org.uk/appeals/east-africa-crisis-appeal See more details about the DEC below.
[from L to R] Diplomat from H.C of Brunei Darussalam, Mr W.P. London Diplomatic Assoc, Kathyrn Hendley (Deputy Director, DEC)
World Humanitairan Day Special Recogition Award to the DEC
Chat show host Sporah Njau on the red carpet of World Humanitarian Day awards in London 19 August 2011
To donate to the East African Appeal now go to http://www.dec.org.uk/appeals/east-africa-crisis-appeal
East African Crisis Appeal Video
PROFILE OF THE DISASTERS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE
MEMBER CHARITIES
The Disasters Emergency Committee is made up of 14 member agencies which provide aid after a disaster in one of the world's poorer countries. They are the leading UK humanitarian charities that fulfil our membership criteria. Member Charities
1. ActionAid
2. Age UK
4. CAFOD
9. Merlin
10. Oxfam
11. Plan UK
13. Tearfund
14. World Vision
ABOUT DISASTERS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE (DEC)
The Disasters Emergency Committee unites the 14 leading UK aid agencies in their efforts to finance relief for people suffering major disasters in poorer countries.
They ensure donors’ funds deliver effective and timely relief for people in need during emergencies around the world.
They also strive to improve standards in the delivery of humanitarian aid, the raising of funds via the public and the monitoring of our operations to ensure money is spent in an effective and fully accountable way.
Thanks to the generosity of donors and support from our media and corporate partners, They have raised more than £750 million since our launch in 1963 which has helped save lives and rebuild communities devastated by disasters.
They simply could not carry on working to help people affected by major disasters without your support.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is an umbrella organisation for up to 15 humanitarian aid agencies that unites aid efforts in times of disaster - such as flood, earthquake or famine – in poorer countries around the world.
Our member agencies are the UK’s leading experts in providing and delivering aid and they also have the profiles to ensure successful national appeals.
Our member agencies are the UK’s leading experts in providing and delivering aid and they also have the profiles to ensure successful national appeals.
The DEC is managed by a board of trustees which comprises the chief executive of each member agency plus up to six independent trustees, including a chair and an honorary treasurer.
The DEC secretariat is the staff team charged by the trustees to carry out the day-to-day running of the organisation.
Our running costs are met by subscriptions from our member agencies, as Theyll as funds from other sources, and not by donations to DEC appeals.
They have a small, permanent staff - usually around 10 people - and a band of dedicated volunteers.
The way They approach our work is to maximise funds for those most in need and ensure they are spent in an effective and fully accountable way.
HOW THEY WORK
As the DEC is unable to respond to all the crises and emergencies that occur regularly throughout the world, its members have to be confident when an appeal is launched that they can make a difference and spend public donations effectively.
Appeals are therefore reserved for major disasters and emergencies that cannot be dealt with by the usual coping mechanisms within affected countries and where DEC member agencies are in a position to respond quickly and effectively.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) draws on many years of experience to plan and deliver each appeal, striving to ensure that the relevant support reaches the people who need it as quickly as possible.
Member agencies share vital information in the period leading up to an appeal launch which enables the DEC Secretariat and Trustees to assess the gravity of the disaster or emergency, and the probable level and effectiveness of any collective response.
The DEC Secretariat ensures information-sharing and joint monitoring of “at-risk” countries, enabling members to benefit from each other’s knowledge and to better prepare to help people.
During an appeal, the DEC carefully coordinates and facilitates communications to ensure the public receives clear, consistent messages in order to achieve widespread publicity and generate maximum income from donors.
TO ENSURE QUALITY
The members are experts in humanitarian aid who can deliver the effective disaster responses which donors expect and those affected by disasters need.
They are committed to delivering humanitarian aid in accordance with international standards.
They recognise hoTheyver that improvement is always possible and They challenge ourselves to continually develop our ways of working using the DEC Accountability Framework (DECAF).
The framework encompasses a number of activities designed to promote best practice, learning and accountability.
These include a system of regular appeal reports, independent evaluations, collective initiatives and annual assessments of agencies’ internal systems for ensuring quality across their work.
The DEC regularly publishes these evaluations as part of our commitment to transparency.
They are committed to delivering humanitarian aid in accordance with international standards.
They recognise hoTheyver that improvement is always possible and They challenge ourselves to continually develop our ways of working using the DEC Accountability Framework (DECAF).
The framework encompasses a number of activities designed to promote best practice, learning and accountability.
These include a system of regular appeal reports, independent evaluations, collective initiatives and annual assessments of agencies’ internal systems for ensuring quality across their work.
The DEC regularly publishes these evaluations as part of our commitment to transparency.
DEC ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK
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ACCOUNTABILITY PRIORITIES
· They use their resources efficiently and effectively.
· They achieve intended programme objectives in accordance with agreed humanitarian standards, principles and behaviours.
· They are accountable to disaster-affected populations.
· They learn from our experience, taking our learning from one emergency to the next.
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HOW THEY SPEND YOUR MONEY
They ensure at least 50 per cent of appeal funds forwarded to our member agencies go on supplies and materials, although the figure is typically more than 60 per cent.
The remainder pays for aid support, including employing staff who may organise food distributions in Pakistan or run medical programmes to prevent children dying of cholera in Haiti. Support costs can also include transport and monitoring the effectiveness of aid programmes.
The remainder pays for aid support, including employing staff who may organise food distributions in Pakistan or run medical programmes to prevent children dying of cholera in Haiti. Support costs can also include transport and monitoring the effectiveness of aid programmes.
EFFECTIVE RESPONSES
With the DEC’s Pakistan Appeal following monsoon rains in the country in 2010, 60 per cent of funds raised Theyre spent on supplies and materials, including tarpaulins for use as temporary shelters, blankets, cooking utensils and food, after 12 million people saw floods destroy or damage their homes.
The DEC secretariat is alloTheyd a maximum expenditure of five per cent of appeal funds, but typically spends about three per cent, contributing the remainder to our members’ relief efforts.
Member agencies may take seven per cent of funds raised for their own management support costs in the UK or overseas to ensure that responses are Theyll-run and effective.
They detail the proportion spend on different types of aid in the Expenditure by Sector of Activity sections of our annual reports.
The DEC secretariat is alloTheyd a maximum expenditure of five per cent of appeal funds, but typically spends about three per cent, contributing the remainder to our members’ relief efforts.
Member agencies may take seven per cent of funds raised for their own management support costs in the UK or overseas to ensure that responses are Theyll-run and effective.
They detail the proportion spend on different types of aid in the Expenditure by Sector of Activity sections of our annual reports.
RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK
The DEC calls upon the Rapid Response Network (RRN) when a disaster occurs to raise funds quickly and effectively.
The RRN is made up of broadcasters in television and radio (the BBC and commercial channels), banks, the Post Office, BT, regional and national press and a range of corporate sector organisations that work together with the DEC to achieve maximum publicity and provide cost-effective ways for the public to make donations.
The RRN is made up of broadcasters in television and radio (the BBC and commercial channels), banks, the Post Office, BT, regional and national press and a range of corporate sector organisations that work together with the DEC to achieve maximum publicity and provide cost-effective ways for the public to make donations.
TELEVISION
The BBC, which has supported the DEC for more than 40 years, produces an appeal package for tv under its public service broadcasting commitments, which is presented by a celebrity in at least one prime-time slot after a news broadcast. All broadcast appeals must conform to the BBC’s Editorial Policy and Guidelines, and to the BBC’s obligations under its Royal Charter and Agreement with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (the ‘Charter and Agreement). The BBC Theybsite also links to the DEC’s site.
The Independent Television Network (ITN), which has also supported the DEC for more than 40 years, helps produce an appeal package at no charge which is presented by a celebrity using a prime-time slot on ITV and shares this package with a number of networks including Channel 4, Channel Five, BSkyB, Al Jazeera English and S4C. All broadcast appeals must conform to the Ofcom’s Editorial Policy and Guidelines.
It is for the broadcasters to decide whether or not to carry any particular appeal.
The Independent Television Network (ITN), which has also supported the DEC for more than 40 years, helps produce an appeal package at no charge which is presented by a celebrity using a prime-time slot on ITV and shares this package with a number of networks including Channel 4, Channel Five, BSkyB, Al Jazeera English and S4C. All broadcast appeals must conform to the Ofcom’s Editorial Policy and Guidelines.
It is for the broadcasters to decide whether or not to carry any particular appeal.
RADIO
BBC Radio also produces an appeal broadcast to coincide with the televised version.
The Radio Centre produces appeals of different lengths and ensures that independent radio stations around the country are equipped to broadcast the emergency alert with appeal donation details.
The Radio Centre produces appeals of different lengths and ensures that independent radio stations around the country are equipped to broadcast the emergency alert with appeal donation details.
BANKS
The British Bankers Association has an agreement with high-street banks and shares resources so donors can give money over the counter to DEC appeals and processes donations.
The Co-operative Bank acts as a lead bank for the appeal, providing a central deposit account for appeal funds.
The Co-operative Bank acts as a lead bank for the appeal, providing a central deposit account for appeal funds.
BT
BT provides a mechanism for enabling Theybsite donations and a phone line network for credit and debit card donations.
The Post Office and Royal Mail
Royal Mail provides a PO Box address so postal donations can be routed quickly to the DEC.
The Post Office provides over-the-counter donation facilities.
The Post Office provides over-the-counter donation facilities.
Their trustees warmly acknowledge and thank the following organisations which supply services at appeal times:
The BBC, ITN, ITV Network Centre, Channel 4, Channel Five, BSkyB, Al Jazeera, BBC Radio, RadioCentre, Independent Radio News, British Bankers Association, British Telcommunications Plc, Ogilvy, Royal Mail, Post Office Counters, Alliance & Leicester, Vodafone, RBS Worldpay, MIG and Open Market.
If you think your company or organisation could offer assistance or support to the DEC, please contact the DEC secretariat at info@dec.org.uk
The BBC, ITN, ITV Network Centre, Channel 4, Channel Five, BSkyB, Al Jazeera, BBC Radio, RadioCentre, Independent Radio News, British Bankers Association, British Telcommunications Plc, Ogilvy, Royal Mail, Post Office Counters, Alliance & Leicester, Vodafone, RBS Worldpay, MIG and Open Market.
If you think your company or organisation could offer assistance or support to the DEC, please contact the DEC secretariat at info@dec.org.uk
OCHA (OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS)
OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort. Our very own Baroness Valerie Amos is the Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator (USG/ERC) is responsible for the oversight of all emergencies requiring United Nations humanitarian assistance. She also acts as the central focal point for governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental relief activities. http://www.unocha.org/
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