United Nations Disaster Relief Office

Introduction to United Nations Disaster Relief Office

United Nations Disaster Relief Office (UNDRO), organization founded in 1971 by the General Assembly of the United Nations to mobilize and coordinate relief activities from various sources in times of disaster. UNDRO was established to coordinate United Nations (UN) relief with aid given by governments and nongovernmental organizations, particularly the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It worked to raise the level of preparedness, especially in developing countries, and to prevent disasters by encouraging preventative planning in such areas as scientific and technological developments. In times of disaster UNDRO acted as an information center, ensuring that relevant data from the disaster site reached those offering aid. UNDRO worked with the Secretariat of the United Nations to promote international cooperation in finding adaptable and low-cost methods to reduce the likelihood and impact of disasters.

In 1991 the United Nations passed a resolution to strengthen its relief efforts and created the position of emergency relief coordinator (ERC). UNDRO soon afterward became part of a newly created Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA), and the ERC was given the title of undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs. In 1998 the DHA was reorganized into the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA replaced UNDRO and the DHA. ” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about United Nations Disaster Relief Office in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to United Nations Disaster Relief Office