Message from the ICVA Secretariat: 9 May 2007

Draft Principles of Partnership: working towards an enhanced humanitarian response, focusing on Indonesia, Zimbabwe, and El Salvador

E-mail Message to ICVA Members

*For your feedback (particularly from field-based staff) on the GHP Principles of Partnership for input to secretariat@icva.ch by FRIDAY, 15 JUNE 2007*

To: ICVA Members
From: ICVA Secretariat
Date: 9 May 2007
SUBJECT: Draft Principles of Partnership: working towards an enhanced humanitarian response, focusing on Indonesia, Zimbabwe, and El Salvador

Dear ICVA Members,

The Global Humanitarian Platform (GHP) was created last July as a forum to bring together the three main families of the humanitarian community - NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and the UN and related international organisations - on an equal footing to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian action. (www.globalhumanitarianplatform.org)

DRAFT PRINCIPLES OF PARTNERSHIP FOR YOUR FEEDBACK

In order to help ensure that there is a common understanding of the concept of partnership, draft "Principles of Partnership" (PoP) have been developed. They are now open for consultation, following endorsement by the GHP Steering Committee (see attached and/or at http://www.icva.ch/doc00002172.doc).

There is a need to gain the views of colleagues in the field to improve the principles and to see how they can be translated into practice. Attached is a letter from the two co-chairs of the GHP, the ICVA ExCom Chair, Tom Getman, and the Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, providing more information on the process to gather feedback from three countries: El Salvador, Indonesia, and Zimbabwe. (see also http://www.icva.ch/doc00002200.doc). There are a number of questions for NGOs, the RC/RC, and the UN to discuss and provide feedback on prior to the next GHP meeting on 11-12 July 2007.

DISCUSSIONS AMONG NGOs AT THE COUNTRY LEVEL

In each of the countries, a member of the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR) has volunteered to help facilitate a discussion among NGOs prior to meeting with the UN. These NGOs are also ICVA members and they have committed to ensuring a dialogue among both international and national/local NGOs.

We would hope that you will encourage your staff working in these three countries to engage in these discussions among NGOs and then with the broader community so that steps can be taken to improve our effectiveness. The NGOs in each country are as follows:
Indonesia – Oxfam GB
Zimbabwe – CARE International
El Salvador – Lutheran World Federation and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Each country will be asked to select a representative to attend the GHP meeting in July to ensure that the field-based perspective is brought to the attention of the heads of organisations that will be attending. We will be asking for your input prior to the meeting, given that not all ICVA members will be invited.

ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION AND FEEDBACK

We would ask that you please share this letter and information with colleagues in the field and encourage them to participate actively in this process. The discussions around the PoP are an important first step towards bringing the GHP initiative to the field and the feedback we get from NGOs on the ground will be crucial for stimulating a meaningful discussion at the first full meeting of the GHP to be held in July.

BROADER FEEDBACK FROM NGOs

While there is a focus on the three countries, we would particularly welcome feedback from NGO staff in other countries on the PoP and on the questions in the attached letter.

We are available at any time to answer any questions that you may have about the GHP or the Principles of Partnership. If you would like us to provide more information to your staff working in any of the three countries, please do not hesitate to put them in touch with us. We ask that you kindly send your feedback on the draft PoP to secretariat@icva.ch by FRIDAY, 15 JUNE 2007 to allow us time to pull together the various inputs.

Looking forward to hearing from you, and with appreciation for investing in this process,
With best regards,
ICVA Secretariat