Skip to content

Humanitarian Affairs

Humanitarian Cooperation: The primary multilateral fora and partners in Geneva

Humanitarian Cooperation: The primary multilateral fora and partners in Geneva
Geneva is a global hub for international humanitarian cooperation. Denmark provides close to 2.7 billion DKK annually in international humanitarian assistance and has obvious interests in improving international coordination of these efforts, including by upholding the fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independance and by advocating for sustainable long-term solutions to humanitarian crises, incl. by strengthening efforts across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.

The Office of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated to protect refugees, to offer them economic assistance, and to seek durable solutions in the form of repatriation, local integration in neighboring countries or resettlement in third countries. Denmark and UNHCR’s collaboration is governed by a multi-year partnership agreement that provides a framework for the cooperation and focuses inter alia on durable solutions. Denmark’s contribution to UNHCR is  510 million DKK annually (close to 35 million USD) of which 235 is un-earmarked. In addition we also provide significant contributions to specific and critical refugee situations, for instance in relation to Syria or Afghanistan.

The International Organization of Migration (IOM) is a multilateral organization, which became part of the UN-system in 2016. The aim of the organization is to help ensure the humane and orderly handling of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants. This work includes enhancing the respect for the human rights of migrants in accordance with international law, assisting states to facilitate the integration of migrants in their new environment and developing programmes that facilitate voluntary return and reintegration.. Denmark and IOM’s collaboration is governed by a multi-year partnership agreement that provides a framework for the cooperation. Denmark’s core contribution to IOM amounts 25 million DKK annually. In addition Denmark also provides funding for a number of projects implemented by IOM.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has its headquarters in Geneva and New York. The Office, which is led by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, is in charge of the practical coordination of humanitarian assistance, contributing to an effective response to humanitarian situations caused by conflict situations, natural disasters and other emergencies. OCHA also mobilizes funds for the humanitarian UN-agencies and NGOs and works on humanitarian policy, advocacy and information management. Denmark is committed to strengthening relief efforts through better management, more efficient funding mechanisms and the development of new partnerships. Denmark provides a core contribution to OCHA of 70 million DKK (10,2 million USD) per year, and in addition another 170 million DKK (24,6 million USD) per year to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which is managed by OCHA. 

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was established to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict or other situations of violence. Often being among the most prominent or only frontline actors in fragile contexts, ICRC is well placed to alleviate the effects of protracted humanitarian crises. Furthermore, ICRC is mandated by the international community to be the guardian and promoter of international humanitarian law. Denmark provides annual un-earmarked support to ICRC of 70 million DKK (close to 10,2 million USD) as well as additional support to the organization's work in specific humanitarian situations.

The primary multilateral fora and partners regarding Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva are:

  • The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  • The International Organization of Migration (IOM)
  • The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Activities (OCHA)
  • The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
  • Private organizations like the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), the International Federation of Red Cross Societies (IFRC) and the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) as well as
  • Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD)