Flash Appeals

The HPC for New Crises

In a new emergency, where there is a new sudden onset crisis or an escalation of an existing crisis, elements of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC) are conducted quickly.  

The global guidance on the HPC (IASC Reference Module for the Implementation of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle) recommends steps that should be taken at country level – by the Humanitarian Coordinator, in coordination with the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) – in a new emergency. The HPC steps are designed to be followed flexibly, and quickly.  

The following is the timeline given by the IASC as a recommendation in a new emergency. Depending on the context, different timelines might be followed and different steps might be taken. More detailed information can be found in the IASC Reference Module for the Humanitarian Programme Cycle. 

• The response might be declared a Level 3 Response by the IASC  
• By days 3-5, a Flash Appeal is developed based on an initial analysis of needs 
• By day 14, a Multi-Cluster/Sector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) is conducted 
• 30 days after the Flash Appeal, an HRP is developed or updated 
• 60 days after the HRP, a Periodic Monitoring Report is issued 
• By day 90 for L3 responses an operational peer review must be conducted, and between months 9-12 an inter-agency humanitarian evaluation (IAHE) might be conducted 

Flash Appeals

The creation of flash appeals typically occurs during period of very fluid context dynamic and in sudden onset disasters, typically feature limited information availability and low but expanding response capacities. It is therefore important, when developing a flash appeal, to avoid overly complex methods for calculation of people in need estimated and to avoid having overly specific/complex or too many response activities.  

Flash appeals should be process light, easy to understand and action, clear, and sufficiently flexible to adapt to future information on needs and priorities, and the changes in the context dynamics. Flash appeals often coincide with the activation of the cluster. In these situations, it is very important that the CCCM section clearly explains its target population, the role CCCM is/will play in addressing the impacts of the shock, who the key stakeholders are (partners, government line-ministries) and what activities the cluster plans to best meet the needs.