Complex Emergencies
Background
Complex emergencies are situations in which the capacity to sustain livelihood and life is threatened primarily by political factors and, in particular, by high levels of violence. The lethal mix of poverty, inequity, injustice, racism and other factors has the direct effect of causing illness, death, human rights abuses, psychological stress and disabilities. The indirect effect of complex emergencies includes displacement of populations, disruption of food production, and the destruction of infrastructure.
USAID Response
USAID, the U.S. Department of State Bureau for Population, Refugee and Migration (State/PRM) and other donors recently launched an initiative to monitor, report and evaluate humanitarian interventions. By focusing on Crude Mortality Rate (CMR) and Wasting (weight-for-height) indicators, this first global interagency initiative has established a commitment to improve monitoring and reporting of the impact of emergencies and coordinated responses.
Vision for the Future
The Bureau for Global Health will continue to provide global technical leadership to improve emergency and transition programming in nutrition and food security. The resources for responding to complex emergencies tend to shift from immediate shelter, water and food needs to transition activities around reestablishment of livelihoods and eventual development efforts. USAID relies on food aid and emergency funding for short-term activities, including technical assistance.
USAID intends to focus its efforts with
Private Voluntary Organization (PVO)
and United Nations (UN) partners to ensure that its development funds and food aid programs have an impact on beneficiaries through the application of coordinated and sound policies within the program cycle’s phases.
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