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Overview

Resource mobilization is the third element of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC) after the humanitarian needs overview (HNO) and strategic response planning. It is integral to and depends on the proper implementation of other elements of the programme cycle. The credibility of assessed needs, of the country strategy and response priorities and of funding requirements can all have an impact on donor decision-making. Within the rubric of the HPC, resource mobilization consists of fundraising for strategic response plans (SRPs) and includes strategic use of country-based pooled funding mechanisms.

When and why

Resource mobilization takes place throughout the cycle. However, for direct funding, the top humanitarian donors tend to make their main decisions:

• Within 72 hours of sudden-onset emergencies.

• During the last quarter of the calendar year, for disbursement early in the next year, for protracted crises.

Resource mobilization efforts aim to ensure activities in the response plan are well-funded, to demonstrate inter-agency funding priorities to donors and to raise the public profile of a crisis. It also maintains an on-going dialogue with donors on the evolution of needs, results achieved and funding received.

Products

The Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) may choose to develop an overall strategy for their resource mobilization activities. Any products should draw on information already collected and included in documents produced as part of the HPC such as humanitarian needs overviews and SRPs, which can themselves be shared with interested parties. Suggested activities and products include:

• Member States’ briefings, at global and country/regional levels, on needs, strategy and funding requirements.

• Fundraising brochures, infographics or other materials based on information contained in the HNO or SRP, but which tell the story in a more compelling, less technical way and focus on people in need.

• Donor pledging conferences in affected countries or donor capitals.

• Up-to-date tracking of funding requirements and contributions through the Financial Tracking Service (FTS) is an essential component of resource mobilization and response monitoring.

• Country-level analysis of funding and the human impact when funding falls short.

• Applications to the CERF - Central Emergency Response Fund (grant or loan elements) or development of allocation policy papers recommending the strategic use of country-based pooled funds.

• Guides to giving as well as tailored messaging to support the response.

• Coordinated lobbying of parliaments for increased humanitarian and preparedness funding or for reallocation of development funds to support chronic crises.

• Coordinated senior staff visits to donor capitals and field locations, and media outreach.

Field activities and HQ support

Resource mobilization activities at the field level are led by the HC, coordinated by OCHA and supported by the HCT, inter-cluster coordination group and clusters. The national authorities should be consulted and included in the process as appropriate, but IASC precludes their appealing directly for funds through the SRP mechanism. OCHA New York and Geneva are available to the HC to support field-based resource mobilization activities or initiate coordinated system-wide advocacy and fundraising at headquarters level.

For individual projects and programmes, organizations raise funds independently. Clusters play an important role in facilitating funding allocations from pooled funds to cluster partners and may wish to fundraise directly to fulfill their cluster response plan. All organizations are expected to inform FTS regularly of any new funding, including internal allocations or the use of private funds.