OCHA Emergency Response Section (ERS) - United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Concept Note

What is UNDAC?

UNDAC is part of the international emergency response system for sudden-onset and deteriorating emergencies. The UNDAC system is designed to assist the United Nations and Governments of a crisis-affected country in the initial response phase, primarily in the areas of on-site coordination of incoming international relief; coordinated assessments and needs analysis; and information management. It is capable of deploying at very short notice (24-48 hours) anywhere in the world and is provided free of charge to the disaster-affected country. It also advises and strengthens national and regional disaster response capacity. The UNDAC System is managed by the Emergency Response Section (ERS) of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva. The UNDAC system was established in 1993 and today consists of over 250 national emergency managers from more than 80 participating countries, together with staff from OCHA, international and regional organizations, including UN agencies, funds and programmes. The UNDAC system comprises of several regional teams: Africa, the Americas (including the Caribbean), Asia, The Commonwealth of Independent States, Europe, Middle East, and the Pacific. In major international emergencies, UNDAC teams are drawn from the global membership, whereas in more localized disasters, they are normally drawn from the affected region.