The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) was created as part of the Secretary General’s reform program in 1998. Its origin lies in the creation of the 46/182 United Nations (UN) resolution in 1991 which called for stronger leadership in humanitarian emergencies. As a result the Department of Human Affairs (DHA) was created in 1992, becoming OCHA six years later. Its main objective is to support all humanitarian organizations with  effective, timely and adequate responses during crisis situations. OCHA is not an autonomous agency, it is led by the Emergency Relief Coordinator whose headquarters are found in New York. It has 193 member countries, and receives its funding from both UN member states and private donors in the Central Emergency Response Fund and the Country-Based Pooled Fund; it also collaborates and coordinates with Non-Governmental Organizations when necessary.

To ensure the proper response to humanitarian crises The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is able to: 

• Coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid such as food, shelter, medical care and other essential supplies  through on-site operation centers;

•  Analyse crisis situations in order to create an adequate, and inclusive response plan with the collaboration of the humanitarian community in an imminent emergency; 

• Promote the interaction between civilian and military entities with the objective of providing well-balanced and multifaceted solutions;

• Support the implementation and testing  of contingency plans, hazard mapping, and early warning reports to prepare vulnerable communities in disaster prone countries via the cooperation of national governments, regional bodies and other agencies;

• Ensure the proper arrival of humanitarian aid to populations in affected areas by the creation of temporary relief corridors, tranquility zones or days; throughout the negotiation of both State and Non-State entities;

• Advocate for the protection of civilians and respect of international law with the promotion of digital campaigns, diplomacy with armed groups, or humanitarian assistance forums.