Emergency Response Preparedness Guidance - Draft for field testing

The ERP approach is a practical, flexible, responsive and resource-light system for understanding and preparing for potential emergencies. Focusing on large-scale emergencies with multiple actors, the ERP enables readiness for an immediate in-country response by the broader humanitarian community and in conjunction with national action, vital in dealing with an unfolding emergency. With a strong base in planning, readiness and knowledge and understanding of risks, ERP is a guide to preparing for both slow- and sudden-onset crises (other than refugee crises). It is based on three key elements:

1. Risk Analysis and Monitoring: understanding the country and context-specific risks that may trigger a crisis is a fundamental part of ERP. Analysis helps to identify hazards and create a risk ranking, while monitoring provides an early warning system to trigger early action.
2. Minimum Preparedness Actions (MPA): a set of general activities implemented by the HCT and requiring few additional resources.  Implementation of MPAs provides a baseline for maintaining readiness and flexibility to respond to potential emergencies.
3. Advanced Preparedness Actions and Contingency Planning: complementary activities initiated concurrently to plan for perceived high-risk situations. Advanced Preparedness Actions are risk-specific and increase readiness in response to early warning, whilst a Contingency Plan sets out a needs-specific strategy for the first days of an unfolding emergency.