Venezuela Humanitarian Fund (VHF) Operational Manual 2023

1. Introduction

1.1. Purpose and Scope of the Operational Manual

1. The purpose of the Operational Manual (“Manual”) is to describe the governance arrangements, priorities, allocation modalities, and accountability mechanisms including procedures for risk management, and financial and budgetary administration of the Venezuela Humanitarian Fund (referred to below as “the Fund” or “VHF”), as well as the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders. This document defines the country-specific guidelines governing the VHF in compliance with the Country-based Pooled Funds (CBPFs) Global Guidelines (“Global Guidelines”) and adapts specific aspects of the global standards to the context of humanitarian response in Venezuela.

2. The Global Guidelines set out arrangements that enhance the quality of CBPF practices and their accountability to stakeholders and describe minimum global standards for the effective and efficient management of CBPFs. The Global Guidelines and annexes, providing further details on certain topics are available at https://www.unocha.org/our-work/humanitarian-financing/country-based-pooled-funds-cbpf/cbpfglobal-guidelines.

3. Each CBPF functions in a specific context and is managed by OCHA at the country level. While the Funds are required to align practices with the Global Guidelines, they retain the flexibility to build upon the minimum standards and adopt additional provisions to best meet the demands of that context. Where humanitarian objectives and operational requirements require deviation from minimum standards for financial and risk management, the HC may request approval of an exceptional waiver by OCHA’s Executive Officer (EO) – which will be considered in light of the corresponding justification and risk management implications.

4. The Manual is subject to periodic review, indicatively every three to four years or when required by a significant change in the context, in line with learning and the continuing evolution of good practices (see section 1.6 of the Global Guidelines). Annexes may be revised more frequently as and when necessary.

1.2. Goals

1. The VHF fully aligns with the global goals of CBPFs as established in the Global Guidelines.

2. CBPFs are multi-donor humanitarian financing instruments established by the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC)/ Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs (USG), managed by OCHA at the country level under the leadership of the HC in consultation with the humanitarian community. Humanitarian financing, including pooled fund management, is one of OCHA’s core functions. In addition to the CBPFs OCHA manages the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), ensuring complementarity between the two funding mechanisms.

Saving Lives and Alleviating Suffering

1. The core mandate of the VHF, as part of the CBPFs, is to allocate funding to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity based on humanitarian needs and priorities identified at the country level. By providing timely, coordinated, and principled assistance, the VHF enhances the effectiveness and accountability of the humanitarian response.

2. The VHF promote partnership and diversity in humanitarian efforts by supporting a variety of humanitarian organizations with resources to contribute to the response, and their engagement in Fund governance. The VHF identify best-placed partners, be they local, national or international NGOs, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent (RC/RC) Movement, or UN agencies, to deliver prioritized humanitarian action on the ground, giving priority to local organizations where appropriate.