Overview

Crisis Response Plans (CRPs) and flash appeals are the primary management and resource mobilization tools used by IOM to communicate the scope and strategy in response to a crisis. In most situations, IOM is actively engaged in the development of the Strategic Response Plan (SRP) of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT). This plan, usually called a Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) or Flash Appeal, consists of an overall country strategy complemented by specific cluster implementation plans.

As a complement to the HRP and any inter-agency flash appeals, IOM should also develop its own agency-specific CRP, explaining IOM activities along with related funding requirements. This document, along with any complementary IOM flash appeals, becomes the main resource mobilization tool, with all flash appeals and CRPs published on the Global Crisis Response Platform (GCRP). Where both CRPs and flash appeals exist, these should be aligned and the CRP should be modified to incorporate the flash appeal if possible. If a flash appeal is published and there is no CRP, country offices should develop a CRP on the basis of the flash appeal.

Key Considerations

Consistency Between Inter-Agency and IOM Appeals: It is important to ensure that IOM flash appeals and CRPs are consistent and complementary to inter-agency appeals such as the Humanitarian Response Plan or the Flash Appeal. IOM and inter-agency flash appeals or IOM CRPs and inter-agency SRPs should either be:

1. Identical, in cases where the IOM flash appeal is solely an extract of the IOM interventions included in the inter-agency appeal, or
2. Complementary, in cases where IOM's flash appeal includes both interventions that may be outside the scope of the inter-agency appeal and those that are part of the inter-agency appeal.

In these instances, IOM interventions outside the inter-agency appeal should not contradict or duplicate the inter-agency appeal's overall strategy/proposed interventions. Moreover, the Country Office should ensure that figures including information on affected and displaced populations do not contradict what is presented in the inter-agency appeal.

Consistency Between Crisis Response Plans and Flash Appeals: It is important to ensure that IOM Flash Appeals are published on the GCRP, either on the related CRP page or where no related CRP exists, as a separate IOM Flash Appeal document. Should a Flash Appeal be published, the related CRP should be updated through the GCRP amendment modality to ensure consistency in IOM's planning and funding requirements and the new Flash Appeal should be uploaded to the relevant CRP page. Where there is no related CRP, one should be developed as soon as possible on the basis of the Flash Appeal.

Relevance to IOM’s Emergency Operations

As part of the IASC, IOM is committed to the implementation of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC), which includes strategic response planning as one of its key elements. In crises where the HCT is leading SRP development, IOM should be engaged throughout the process, including by participating in the HCT and cluster meetings, and positioning IOM and its planned response.

The country office should make efforts to develop its own agency specific CRP and flash appeals, as relevant. Support to develop a CRP is available from the DOE RTS and [email protected]. The DOE RTS and the Preparedness and Response Division (PRD) can support the development of an IOM flash appeal as needed.

Guidance on the Process

Inter-Agency Strategic Response Plans

In most cases, the humanitarian community develops a collective Strategic Response Plan (SRP) that presents the collective goal of the humanitarian community to meet the most urgent needs of the crisis-affected population. This can be in the form of a Humanitarian Response Plan, Flash Appeal, or Refugee Response plan. This planning is part of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC), a sequential process is led by the HCT that seeks to achieve strategic, coordinated evidence-based humanitarian action as part of the Transformative Agenda (TA).

IOM Flash Appeals and CRPs

In addition to contributing the development of the humanitarian community's SRP, an IOM-specific flash appeal should also be developed in instances of sudden-onset crisis or new deterioration of an existing crisis. These flash appeals should be consistent with the overall objectives of the inter-agency SRP and related IOM CRPs. Should an IOM flash appeal be published, the related CRP should be updated; where there is no relevant, pre-existing CRP, one should be developed as soon as possible following the issuance of the IOM flash appeal. In most cases, the IOM flash appeal is an extract of all the projects IOM has submitted for inclusion in the inter-agency flash appeal or Humanitarian Response Plan. Having a separate IOM flash appeal provides the country office with an opportunity to more clearly present the Organization's overall crisis response strategy. The IOM flash appeal can also include other sectors of assistance that do not traditionally fall within inter-agency flash appeals or HRPs, such as Counter-Trafficking in Emergencies or Humanitarian Border Management.

To ensure a consistent, institutional visual identity for all IOM flash appeals in response to crises, a standard template has been developed and is available in the reference section. Country Offices can contact PRD and DRD for further support in finalizing, launching, and disseminating the appeal in an efficient and timely manner.

Global Crisis Response Platform (GCRP)

IOM's GCRP provides donors and partners with an overview of IOM's immediate and longer-term planning and funding requirements to respond to the evolving needs of those impacted by, or at risk of, crises and displacement. The Platform reflects the spectrum of IOM's humanitarian and development-oriented crisis transition activities, and aligns with IOM's commitments under the Grand Bargain, notably in relation to operationalizing the Humanitarian-Development Nexus, financial transparency and accountability, and multi-year planning and financing. IOM's responses are presented as strategic, multi-year plans oriented around three core objectives: 1) humanitarian protection and assistance, 2) addressing the drivers and longer-term impacts of crises, and 3) preparedness and risk reduction. The Platform provides a single point of reference and up-to-date information on IOM's crisis response planning and funding status, enabling consistency across IOM's donor engagement and strengthened donor visibility. As of February 2020, the GCRP replaces the Humanitarian Compendium. Country offices can contact the DOE RTS or [email protected] for more information and guidance.

Reporting Humanitarian Contributions

It is critical that IOM's external financial reporting is accurate and coherent, aligned across the GCRP, FTS, and IATI, and based on PRISM's financial data. Therefore, once a donor agreement has been signed for a humanitarian project, it is important to report this contribution to the FTS. This process helps show the most accurate level of funding received for any global humanitarian response against the requirements set out in inter-agency appeals. The GCRP draws financial data directly from PRISM and PRIMA, using PRIMA Reporting Areas to allocate funding received to the relevant GCRP Objective and Activity Area. Any queries can be directed to [email protected]. You can also contact DRD if you need guidance or assistance reporting to FTS.

Contacts

For more information and support in developing flash appeals or CRPs, please contact:

• The DOE RTS in your region
• The Preparedness and Response Division (PRD): [email protected]
• The Donor Relations Division (DRD): [email protected]
• The Global Crisis Response Platform team: [email protected]