UNDAC News

Published: 20 January 2026 | New York | Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) image-20260121-141258.png The Humanitarian Reset calls for shifting power to local actors.  Lucien Jaggi, Humanitarian Affairs Officer with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),…

Published: 09 September 2025 On 29 August, the OCHA Emergency Response Section held an UNDAC Global Webinar on the topic of ‘Understanding and Collaborating with UNDAC Operational Partners’. The webinar was attended by participants coming from different organizations, partners and government agencies part of the UNDAC network. photo-collage.png.png UNDAC Operational partners are an essential part of the UNDAC system, enabling UNDAC teams to carry out their work effectively during a mission.…

Published: 29 July 2025 On July 10, 2025, UNDAC hosted a well-attended webinar on Artificial Intelligence, aimed at demystifying AI and exploring how it can support and enhance humanitarian response efforts. Designed specifically for UNDAC members, regardless of technical background, the session introduced the fundamentals of AI: what it is, how it works, and why it matters. The webinar combined short plenary explanations, real-world use cases, and interactive discussions.…

Published: 24 June 2025 On 28 March 2025, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar at approximately 12:50 PM local time, with a shallow epicentre near Mandalay and Sagaing. The tremors, followed minutes later by a 6.4 magnitude quake further south, caused widespread devastation across the country. Structural damage in Mandalay/ Photo: OCHA Myanmar1.png Homes, schools, hospitals, and vital infrastructure collapsed,…

Published: 23 June 2025 During the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) 2025, UNDAC hosted three key public sessions that brought together global partners, national focal points, and humanitarian responders to exchange insights, reflect on recent missions, and chart the future of international emergency coordination. UNDAC 101: From Deployment to Principles UNDAC 101- This is UNDAC/ Photo: UNDAC UNDAC_deployment_to_principles.png Designed around five key themes,…

Published: 10 March 2025 This year International Women’s Day, we celebrate the dedication and resilience of women working on the frontlines of humanitarian response. As UNDAC members, Elizabeth Hosking and Natalia de Avila have played essential roles in disaster response, bringing expertise, leadership, and a commitment to supporting affected communities worldwide. Their stories highlight the invaluable contributions of women in emergency coordination and disaster relief.…

Published: 30 January 2025 The HNPW provides a unique forum for humanitarian networks and partnerships to meet and address key humanitarian issues. One of the largest humanitarian events of its kind, it gathers participants from the UN, NGOs, Member States, the private sector, the military, academia and beyond to discuss and solve common challenges in humanitarian affairs. During the event, networks and partnerships hold their annual meetings and consultations,…

Published: 27 January 2025 On 17 December 2024, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck 30 km west of Port Vila, Vanuatu, at 12:47 PM local time. Despite the significant damage inflicted on the infrastructure in and around Port Vila, the resilience of the affected communities shone through. Approximately 80,000 individuals faced the aftermath, with at least 14 lives lost and over 265 injuries reported. A total of 1,092 people found themselves temporarily displaced, and 570 homes were damaged,…

Published: 01 December 2024 On 22 November, the 30 years of exceptional work by the INSARAG and UNDAC networks were celebrated during the UN Foundation’s We the Peoples Award Ceremony. Among the 2024 honourees were the Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand; TIME, represented by Jessica Sibley, Chief Executive Officer; Amanda Gorman, poet and activist; Angélique Kidjo, Grammy-winning artist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador; Louise Mabulo,…

Published: 18 November 2024 Mr. Tom Fletcher has started his new role as the new Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). He succeeds Martin Griffiths of the United Kingdom to whom the Secretary-General is deeply grateful for his outstanding work, dedicated service and long-standing commitment to the Organization. In this critical role, Mr.…

Published: 08 November 2024 A global UNDAC induction was held in Nairobi, Kenya from 27th October to 8th November 2024 at the Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS) in Embakasi, which is a facility with the required amenities desirable for both the plenary/breakout sessions and a SIMEX. ©UNOCHA undac_induction_kenya_2024.…

Published: 26 September 2024 The UNDAC Refresher Course was successfully held in China from 23-26 September 2024. © UNOCHA UNDAC_Refresher_in_China_2024_Large.jpg This valuable event was hosted by the Ministry of Emergency Management and organized by the National Earthquake Response Support Service at their training center in Beijing. A diverse group of 19 UNDAC members from 11 countries across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Africa participated,…

Published: 19 July 2024 Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Emergency Response Team (ERT) is provided for within the SADC Disaster Preparedness and Response Strategy and Fund as a regional rapid response team deployable in major sudden and slow on-set disasters. The SADC ERT is a component of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) which is hosted in Nacala (Mozambique).…

Published: 11 July 2024 In the wake of early July 2024, Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados, it was classified as a category 4 hurricane. High winds toppled trees and power lines, tore entire roofs from houses and in some cases, blew buildings completely off their foundations. This resulted to widespread displacement. ©UNOCHA undac-hurricane_beryl_-_july_2024.png In response,…

Published: 15 June 2024 We are delighted to share that we have just published Version 2 of the UNDAC Handbook online. This updated version features improved formatting and includes two new subchapters on biohazards (J.10) and hazard impact summaries (K). Moving forward, each version will have a version number, date, and disclaimer at the beginning. undac-handbook-v2-preview-592x400.png The UNDAC Handbook is regularly reviewed and updated to enhance graphics, fix typographical errors,…

Published: 29 April 2024 The Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) provides a unique forum for humanitarian networks and partnerships to meet and address key humanitarian issues. One of the largest humanitarian events of its kind, it gathers participants from the UN, NGOs, Member States, the private sector, the military, academia and beyond to discuss and solve common challenges in humanitarian affairs. During the event,…

Published: 31 December 2023 Türkiye-Syria Earthquake (February-March): UNDAC significantly contributed to the earthquake response efforts in Türkiye and Syria following the Turkish government’s request for international assistance on February 6. The initial deployment of 50 members in Türkiye increased to 61 by February 17 and eventually to 88 people, covering operational hubs in Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Adiyaman, and Malatya.…

Published 02 December 2023 Since our March 2023, UNDAC actively engaged in various new training and briefing sessions aimed at enhancing disaster response and preparedness capabilities globally. The year commenced with the Awareness Workshop in Panama on March 9-10, where 40 staff from the Americas region were educated on UNDAC’s role and methodologies, emphasizing the importance of integrated response to emergencies. ©UNOCHA participants_of_the_undac_induction_course_in_saly_senegal.jpg In May,…

Published 01 December 2023 Localization is happening in Asia-Pacific region. In 2023, UNDAC supported a number of regional and national initiatives on disaster response capacity development and interoperability. It is worth noting that five new countries joined or reengaged with UNDAC network in the Pacific: Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa, and Vanuatu. In the Pacific, UNDAC supported the National Emergency Response Team (NERT), which is the nationalized UNDAC system,…

Published: 01 December 2023 I started my work in the emergency fieldwork in 2005, as a fire and rescue officer in different fire stations in Kuwait Fire Force. I’ve been granted different positions such as Head of Plans and Information Section, Head of Emergency Dispatch Centre, and Head of the Plans and Emergency Centre. I have achieved a High Diploma in Fire Safety Engineering 2005, BSc. in Fire Safety & Risk Management, 2011, MSc. in Crisis and Disaster Management in 2013,…

Published: 01 December 2023 In recent years, I was a member of the National Task Force and focal person for the coordination of humanitarian response to Covid-19 outbreak in Ghana in 2020. Presently, I am the Government focal person and liaison with the United Nations Inter-Agency Working Group on Emergencies in response to massive inundation of nine districts caused by spillage of excess water from the Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam.…

Published: 01 December 2023 For 17 years I have worked in the National Earthquake Response Support Service, a subordinate unit of the Ministry of Emergency Management, PR China and a professional organization responsible for earthquake and geological disaster emergency rescue. I have been engaged in earthquake emergency response and rescue logistics support, K9 management and international rescue coordination,…

Published: 01 December 2023 My name is Natalia, a mother, wife, daughter, sister, psychologist, and university teacher at University of the Republic in Uruguay. I’m passionate about my family and working with vulnerable communities, which I started working with at a young age. Early in my career, I pursued a postgraduate degree in psychosocial interventions for emergency and disaster situations, leading me to Disaster Risk Reduction work on a national and international level.…