Background
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is impacting the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund (MHF) operations and their partners in different ways. The OCHA Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU), in charge of the management of this country-based pooled funds (CBPF), is swiftly adapting to this new environment and remain very dedicated to support humanitarian partners despite the challenges faced. This situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic requires the MHF to respond with greater flexibility, through simplifications in the current funding arrangements, yet keeping accountability over the use of funds. After an analysis of the evolving situation and related challenges which the Fund is beginning to face, and following requests from partners, OCHA at HQ level has agreed to put in place some extraordinary measures that will allow all key stakeholders to continue providing life-saving assistance to those in need.
To ensure that the MHF and their partners have the greatest possible impact on the global efforts during this unprecedented crisis, the MHF allocations should be in alignment with the Global HRP COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Addendum to the 2020 Myanmar HRP, provided that it is not at the expense of other life-saving activities that the MHF already support. The MHF should continue to promote complementarity with other funding sources, including with the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and other pooled funds in country i.e. the Access to Health Fund.
All MHF partners are encouraged to implement flexibility measures also for their sub-partners, promoting equitable partnership agreements.
This guidance note will be reviewed periodically and revised as required.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.