• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) under UN has launched an emergency aid appeal seeking $1.2 billion to help some 2.7 million people in Gaza and the West Bank.

ABOUT OCHA

• The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a United Nations (UN) body established in December 1991.
• It is the successor to the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator (UNDRO).
• It has two headquarter locations, Geneva and New York.
• OCHA is led by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (USG/ERC), who serves a five-year term.
• OCHA core functions include- Advocacy, Coordination, Humanitarian Financing, Information Management and Policy.
• OCHA’s Strategic Plan 2023-2026 outlines six transformational priorities to address the challenges of this rapidly changing landscape-
  • A coherent humanitarian response that is people centred, context specific, contributes to community resilience and promotes concrete protection outcomes.
  • Systematic and predictable leadership on access.
  • Durable solutions to protracted internal displacement.
  • Humanitarian response that is inclusive and leaves no one behind.
  • Catalytic humanitarian financing that delivers impact in people’s lives.
  • Strategic analysis of risks and trends to adapt to an evolving landscape.