OCHA Office overview

The office, affiliated with the United Nations, was established in 1991 by a resolution of the UN General Assembly, and is based in New York, USA. OCHA aims to reinforce the United Nations emergency response. In 1998, the office was reorganized and merged into the Department of Humanitarian Affairs, to expand its activities meant to coordinate humanitarian affairs, facilitate sustainable solutions, and defend human rights to alleviate the suffering of people in the event of wars or natural disasters.

OCHA areas of work

  • Intervene in complex emergencies and natural disasters.
  • Coordinate to provide a comprehensive humanitarian response.
  • Develop policies that support humanity.
  • Coordinate between organizations to make unified calls to align to confront disasters.
  • Plan and develop strategies and policies for aid provision.

OCHA interventions in Yemen

OCHA's overall goal in Yemen is to ensure the delivery of effective and principled humanitarian action that meets the needs of the most vulnerable people. To achieve this, OCHA supports the Humanitarian Coordinator and humanitarian partners in operational coordination, humanitarian financing, public information, humanitarian analysis, advocacy and information management.

OCHA has launched several humanitarian appeals calling on all international relief organizations to support humanitarian efforts in Yemen and allocated financial support to provide aid, food and medical supplies. It works closely with the government and humanitarian partners at all levels to enhance the coherence and quality of humanitarian response on a larger scale.

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