Agreement signed – March 2026

In March 2026, the Confederation of Humanitarian Nations (CNU) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) formalized a framework for collaboration aimed at strengthening humanitarian response in crisis-affected contexts.

This collaboration is based on a convergence of operational objectives: improving the capacity to collect, analyze, and share humanitarian data, enhancing coordination among actors on the ground, and contributing to more timely and effective interventions for vulnerable populations.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the UN Secretariat department responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent, rapid, and effective response to emergencies. Established in 1991, OCHA coordinates humanitarian aid, supports crisis-affected populations, and mobilizes funding to save lives.

Within this framework, CNU contributes through its international network of organizations, operators, and volunteers active across multiple operational contexts, providing field-based data, monitoring reports, and analysis on local humanitarian conditions. These inputs are integrated into shared information systems to support evidence-based decision-making processes.

The main areas of cooperation include:

  • Humanitarian data sharing: collection and transmission of datasets related to population needs, emerging risks, access to essential services, and the operational presence of humanitarian actors (3W model – Who, What, Where).
  • Support to priority countries: informational and operational contribution in contexts covered by Humanitarian Response Plans (HRP), in alignment with internationally defined priorities.
  • Strengthening coordination: integration of data collected by the CNU network into multi-level coordination systems, enabling a shared operational picture of crises.
  • Capacity development: promotion of tools and methodologies to improve data collection quality and analytical capabilities in vulnerable contexts.

In this context, OCHA’s core functions serve as the operational reference for the collaboration:

  • Coordination: brings together UN agencies, NGOs, and partners to ensure a unified response to disasters and conflicts.
  • Advocacy: highlights the needs of crisis-affected communities and promotes the protection of affected populations.
  • Information Management: shares timely and critical data to support informed humanitarian decision-making.
  • Policy and Financing: manages funding mechanisms such as the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to provide rapid financing.

The collaboration between CNU and OCHA is structured as a technical and operational initiative, aimed at building a more robust and integrated information ecosystem capable of enhancing the effectiveness and timeliness of humanitarian responses in crisis settings.