UNICEF, EMOPS Geneva, Core Contribution 2024-2025


The Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) ensures that the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) role in complex emergencies is clearly defined, the organization properly equipped and prepared to deliver its mandate to support the needs of children. SDC’s support to EMOPS in Geneva enables UNICEF to lead inter-agency humanitarian coordination, response and standard setting in Water and Sanitation (WASH), Education, Nutrition and Child Protection.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR
Water
nothemedefined
Humanitarian efficiency
Protection, access & security
Water sanitation
01.01.2024 - 31.12.2025
CHF  4’000’000
Background Wherever there is a crisis – disaster, public health emergency or conflict – UNICEF strives to reach children and families in the hardest hit regions with life-saving resources. Approximately 468 million children globally in 2022 – are now living in areas affected by conflict – the highest number in 20 years. EMOPS with its presence in New York and Geneva is the focal point for emergency assistance, humanitarian policies, staff security and support to UNICEF offices in the field, as well as strategic coordination with external humanitarian partners, both within and outside the United Nations (UN) system.
Objectives Improved protection of children from violence and exploitation.
Target groups Children and women in emergencies and crisis affected regions and people with disabilities in emergencies and crisis affected regions.
Medium-term outcomes
  • Strengthened humanitarian preparedness and response, aligned with UNICEF policy and framework for humanitarian action, the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs);
  • Comprehensive interagency partnerships and field-based humanitarian coordination enabling people-centred humanitarian response in line with CCCs in all contexts;
  • Efficient and effective programmatic, operational, advocacy and donor engagement management.
Results

Expected results:  

  • Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) is established and strengthened in Country Offices; this facilitates the safe, appropriate, and equitable engagement of affected populations including children, women, and the most vulnerable groups;
  • Strategic partnerships are strengthened with UN agencies, NGOs, IFIs, IASC, Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, including standby partners to improve humanitarian action;
  • UNICEF-led global clusters and area of responsibility are strengthened to fulfil UNICEF’s Cluster Lead Agency (CLA) mandate to establish and maintain effective leadership and coordination inclusive of cross-cutting issues;
  • Nutrition, Education, WASH and Child Protection field-based humanitarian coordination is improved to deliver predictable, principled, timely, quality and people-centred humanitarian response, preparedness, and advocacy;
  • Planning, monitoring, reporting, operations, and resource mobilization capacities are strenghtened to meet quality standards in achieving results for children.


Results from previous phases:  

  • 54 country offices received dedicated technical support on Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP);
  • EMOPS designated country-level lead for education in 27 countries, WASH in 30 countries, nutrition in 57 countries and child protection in 52 countries;
  • Successful implementation of the UNHCR-UNICEF “Blueprint for joint action for refugee children” initiative in 10 pilot countries, leading to new Strategic Collaboration Framework (SCF);
  • Rapid deployment of 168 external surge from 17 standby partner agencies / institutions to 57 countries.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • United Nations Children’s Fund


Coordination with other projects and actors The Global Protection Cluster, the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children (GPEVAC), the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies and other SDC/Humanitarian Aid and SDC funded projects with UNICEF benefit from a strong EMOPS. High synergies exist with SDC strategies, operational concepts and policy dialogue on WASH, Protection, Education as well as the implementation thereof.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    4’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    2’000’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   21’100’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   25’100’000
Project phases Phase 12 01.01.2024 - 31.12.2025   (Current phase) Phase 11 01.01.2022 - 31.12.2023   (Active) Phase 7 01.01.2017 - 31.12.2017   (Active) Phase 6 01.01.2015 - 31.12.2016   (Active) Phase 5 01.09.2013 - 31.12.2014   (Active) Phase 4 01.09.2011 - 31.12.2013   (Active)