OCHA Pooled Fund Guidance – Landmark US Award

COUNTRY AND REGIONAL FUNDS GUIDANCE ON ALLOCATION MODALITIES FOR THE U.S. AWARD

A. INTRODUCTION

1. This note outlines the parameters and process for allocating resources received through the U.S. Award via a “fast-track” Reserve Allocation, to guide RC/HCs, Heads of Offices (HoO), Fund Managers/Humanitarian Financing Units and humanitarian partners.
2. The existing Reserve Allocation procedure forms a solid foundation to administer the U.S. Award. However, additional Fast Track Procedures are needed to facilitate the urgent timeframe and scale of this particular grant. A Global Waiver has been approved by the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) setting-out the relevant provisions.
3. The overarching objective of the U.S. award is to provide rapid life-saving assistance to people facing the most severe humanitarian needs, categorized as inter-sectoral needs severity 4 and 5 as defined by the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) or other appropriate analysis in countries without an HNRP. To this end, the ERC has issued a Statement of Intent (see Annex 1) to guide the overall approach to the award, while RC/HCs will lead the development of country-level Allocation Strategies.
4. The allocation of the U.S. award will adhere to specific parameters, primarily linked to speed of implementation, quality of response and enhanced accountability, including reporting. A stand-alone Grant Agreement for partners receiving funding from the U.S. Award has been developed to capture these requirements.