The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the African Union Commission seek to improve their collaboration on addressing humanitarian issues in Africa under a new agreement recently signed in Ethiopia.
OCHA and the AUC’s memorandum of agreement will govern their collaboration and cooperation in various areas that include early warning, coordination, disaster preparedness and response and the protection of civilians during natural disasters and conflict situations. The agreement is based on a framework drafted by the U.N. and African Union in 2006, the U.N. New Center says.
John Holmes, the outgoing undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, welcomed the agreement.
“This MoU establishes a firm footing for strengthening the partnership between OCHA and the African Union in efforts to bring relief and protection to millions of people in need in Africa,” Holmes said.
