Inaugural holder Jan Eliasson1992 | ||
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Website United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs | ||
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator is a high-level position in the United Nations that heads the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The current holder is Stephen O'Brien of the United Kingdom, who took office on 29 May 2015, following his appointment by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
History
The post of Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) was created by UN resolution in December 1991 to coordinate the efforts of the special representatives of the United Nations Secretary-General in response to complex, man-made emergencies and the tasks of the UN Disaster Relief Coordinator (UNDRO), who handles natural disasters. Shortly thereafter the Secretary-General named the Emergency Relief Coordinator as one of the Under-Secretaries-General (USGs), specifically the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. The position is shared with the title of "Emergency Relief Coordinator", referring to coordination and aid management responsibilities within the UN system, and in the wider assistance community.