Key resources:

GNC Tips on NiE interventions for HRP

UNICEF CCCs

The Sphere project handbook

Objectives of Response Planning :

The specific objective of response planning is to define essential NiE interventions/activities with sector partners in a draft actionable response plan. This response plan and all the other elements of Nutrition Emergency Preparedness ensure a predictable, timely, and effective nutrition response in case of emergency. The ultimate goal is to protect the nutritional status of the population affected by humanitarian crisis.

Key messages

In an emergency the nutrition sector/cluster will be required to articulate a first draft response plan within a very rapid timeframe (usually days). It is extremely helpful (in terms of time and cost saving) to have a draft response plan ready in the preparedness phase, which can then be quickly amended based on the specific context of the emergency.

A draft response plan can be as simple as a matrix/table that specifies the activities that will/can be implemented for the nutrition response, based on either a specific or more generic disaster scenario. The draft response plan is usually part of a broader emergency preparedness and response plan (EPRP) or Contingency Plan for the nutrition sector, but can also be a standalone document. In countries where there is not a broader EPRP for the nutrition sector/cluster, it is strongly encouraged to at an absolute minimum, agree on a draft response plan amongst the nutrition sector partners.

The Global Nutrition Cluster (GNC) recently published a guidance to support country nutrition clusters and nutrition cluster partners in preparing the Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs). It provides tips for nutrition clusters to facilitate the planning of a collective response and the development of Nutrition in Emergencies (NiE) interventions by individual cluster partners. The HRP tips can also be used by other clusters to help guide of the inclusion of nutrition sensitive interventions in their respective sectoral plans.

The CCCs should be referred to for defining UNICEFs nutrition activities. The sphere standards also inform core nutrition activities and standards in an emergency.

The folder contains examples of SRP and HRP from the Philippines and Myanmar as examples of how the nutrition activities are consolidated into an interagency plan as well as the Philippines Nutrition EPRP that includes the response plan.