THE FOLLOWING IS FROM MR. JAN EGELAND, UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY RELIEF COORDINATOR (ERC):

Dear colleagues,

It is my pleasure to share with you the final version of the IASC Policy Package on Implementing the Collaborative Response to Situations of Internal Displacement.

The Policy Package was endorsed by the IASC-Working Group at its meeting in New York on 23 September 2004. The Working Group requested all IASC members to ensure wide dissemination and implementation of the policy package, in regard to which the central role of the Humanitarian Coordinator was underlined.

I intend to share the policy package with all HCs/RCs for immediate implementation. In this regard, I am pleased to inform you that the Inter-Agency Internal Displacement Division is planning a series of regional workshops for OCHA Heads of Field Offices on the policy package to enable them to support the Humanitarian Coordinators in its implementation. In addition, key aspects of the package are to be integrated into the forthcoming training for Humanitarian Coordinators.

For your part, I would kindly request that you share the policy package as widely as possible within your respective organizations, both at headquarters and in particular among your staff in the field. I would also encourage you to ensure that key aspects of the policy package are incorporated into relevant policy documents and training materials and activities of your organization.

I sincerely hope that the policy package and the roadmap, which we had earlier endorsed and which you will recall is an integral feature of the policy package, will clarify and accelerate the consultation and planning processes, and contribute to a more effective and timely response to meet the assistance and protection needs of IDPs.

With best regards.

Jan