About URDFirst of all, we consider humanitarian disasters to be the combined result of both the weakening of individuals, societies or states and the breakdown of political, social and natural equilibriums. We therefore do not believe that there is anything inevitable about the impact of crises on the most vulnerable sections of society but rather that all public and private actors need to take action to limit this impact. Crises reveal pre-existing vulnerabilities, and as such, they require more than an emergency response. They show the crucial role of political action in managing and preventing crises.We are therefore part of the civil society movement which aims to remind government institutions and businesses of their responsibility to take social, environmental and political risks into account in their actions. We advocate for the integration of new paradigms like resilience and access to increasingly limited resources into development aid. To this end we are engaged in constructive dialogue with political stakeholders to develop appropriate policies in disaster and crisis prevention, humanitarian action and reconstruction.There are a large number of stakeholders with different capacities and mandates involved in disaster and crisis prevention, humanitarian action and reconstruction. Such a variety of local and international organisations allows the sector to cover a variety of needs, but it also makes coordination necessary. Coordination, however, should not lead to uniformity between stakeholders. We believe that the humanitarian sector must rigorously apply and defend the principles of humanity, independence and impartiality in order to ensure effectiveness and access to local populations.In keeping with this approach, we are committed to promoting quality in humanitarian aid. Quality aid meets people’s real needs as effectively as possible, both in terms of assistance and protection; it takes into account the specific vulnerabilities and capacities which exist in each context; it produces useful results having taken into account the various short- and long-term dimensions of its activities; and it respects the human and natural environment in which it takes place. Central to this approach to aid is the position of local people who are not seen simply as beneficiaries but as real partners.Finally, Groupe URD also works towards an increasingly responsible humanitarian sector which is accountable to both donors and beneficiaries, thereby increasing confidence in aid and the legitimacy of aid organizations. It is also with a view to greater responsibility that we provide the sector with support to build its capacity to learn, anticipate, innovate and adapt to new realities so that it can meet the challenges of our rapidly-changing world.Groupe URDURD_3e5a32d8-9522-11e4-842b-478f2349f805A think tank on humanitarian policies -- Created in 1993, Groupe URD is an independent institute which specializes in the analysis of practices and the development of policy for the humanitarian and post-crisis sectors.From 1993 to 1997, Groupe URD was an NGO discussion group which focused on linking emergency and development aid. After 1997, it broadened its horizons in response to the numerous theoretical and operational challenges faced by the aid sector in crisis and post-crisis contexts.Its role is to help organizations to improve the quality of their programmes through evaluations, research, Quality support and training.In order to work close to field realities and to share lessons, Groupe URD has established several observatories of aid practices - currently in Haiti, and formerly in Chad and in Afghanistan.Humanitarian SectorGroupe URD Governing BoardGroupe URD is a non-profit association (as defined by the French law of 1901). The governing board, which is elected at the annual general meeting, meets each trimester to validate strategic decisions.The current Governing Board is:Claire Pirotte(President)Charlotte DufourRémy RussbachJean-Marie Giraud(Treasurer)Monique CardotGroupe URD TeamGroupe URD’s multi-disciplinary research team has expertise in Agronomy, Urbanism, International Law, Medicine, Nutrition, Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), Social Psychology, the Environment and New Information and Communication Technology (NICT).The support team includes the translation and communications departments, the resource centre and the administrative, logistical and financial department.For certain projects, we also work with external consultants, volunteers and interns.Claire PIROTTEPresident of Groupe URD -- Claire is a doctor and has a great deal of experience working on emergency health programmes in Africa, Latin America and Asia. She has been the president of Groupe URD since the beginning of 2009. Along with François Grünewald, she co-edits the "Pratiques Humanitaires" collection by Editions Karthala. François GRÜNEWALDExecutive Director -- François is an agricultural engineer and has a great deal of experience working on emergency food security programmes. He supervises all of Groupe URD’s research and evaluation work. He co-edits Karthala’s Pratiques Humanitaires collection. He is a former member of the Haut Conseil de la Coopération Internationale and of the Commission Nationale Consultative des Droits de l’Homme. Véronique de GEOFFROYDirector of operations -- Véronique has a Masters degree in International Humanitarian Law and has worked for a number of NGOs in emergency contexts. She is currently Groupe URD’s Director of operations and focuses particularly on the issues of Quality (the Quality COMPAS©), IHL and civil/military cooperation. Johanna BACHÉResearcher -- Johanna has a Masters in Geopolitics. She conducted research in Latin America before pursuing her studies in the international aid sector. She has been working with Groupe URD since 2012 where her activities have included the development of training modules for Afghan humanitarian actors and contributing to research and analysis projects. Béatrice BOYERArchitect and Urban Planner, Researcher -- Béatrice is in charge of research and evaluations in connection with “Housing and urban planning, crises and reconstruction”. She is an architect and joined Groupe URD after working in rehabilitation and urban renovation. Pierre BRUNETTraining Coordinator -- Before studying Project Management at the Institut Bioforce, Pierre taught French as a foreign language and was the director of an association involved in national solidarity and cross-cultural events. He is Groupe URD’s Training Coordinator and is involved in certain courses as a trainer. He is also involved in publishing and project proposal activities. Julien CARLIERQuality Advisor -- Julien Carlier works in the area of Quality and Accountability initiatives for the humanitarian sector and supports organisations who adopt Sigmah, open source software for humanitarian project management. In the past, he worked for 12 years as a consultant providing organizations with support in improving their practices and adopting quality approaches. He began working in the aid sector in 2009 with a Canadian NGO, Centre d’Étude et de Coopération Internationale (CECI), supporting management at the headquarters and then in Dakar. He works in both French and English.Isabelle FORTINCoordinator of the Haiti Observatory -- Isabelle trained as a Linguist and has worked for more than 20 years designing, managing and evaluating programmes in the areas of civil rights, women’s rights, children’s rights, conflict transformation and public security as well as developing participatory training materials. She has spent the majority of her professional life in Haiti. She is currently the Coordinator of the Haiti Observatory. Juliette HAÏMAdministrative and Financial Manager -- Juliette trained in Management and has worked in transport logistics and managing small and medium-sized businesses. After ten years as Groupe URD’s Administrator-Accountant, working with the Administrative and Financial Director, she has now taken on the role of Groupe URD’s Administrative and Financial Manager. Charlotte HEWARDExecutive Assistant -- Charlotte has a Masters degree in Geography, having specialised in development issues. She worked for a while in the field of distance-learning with French-speaking African countries and then took part in several humanitarian missions in Myanmar in connection with rehabilitation programmes. Charlotte has been working as an Executive Assistant at Groupe URD since February 2014, and as such is involved in preparing, monitoring and managing projects, and assisting the management in coordinating the team.Anna LEARTraining Coordinator and Translator -- Anna graduated with a Masters in Humanitarian Aid Management and then worked as a Research Assistant on various projects, such as the Global Study on Consultation and Participation of Affected Populations in Humanitarian Action (Guinea case study). She is now coordinating the Training Division and is support translator for Groupe URD publications in English. Valérie LÉONResearcher & Evaluator -- Valérie studied Economics and Politics, and worked for the ICRC in various crisis and post-crisis contexts (El Salvador, Kosovo, Colombia, Ethiopia, Georgia and Myanmar), specialising in Economic Security programmes. After a number of years supervising projects in Latin America for Médecins du Monde in Paris, she joined Groupe URD in 2012, where she focuses on cross-cutting themes, between relief and developmentCécile LE GRIXArchivist -- Cécile is in charge of our Resource Centre. She organises and manages publications, helps to conduct literature searches and represents Groupe URD within the Ritimo network. Cécile has a degree in English and became involved in the aid sector after studying at the Institut des Droits de l’Homme. Hugues MAURYConsultant, paediatrician -- Hugues is a paediatrician and worked for many years on the implementation of quality processes in hospitals. He is a part-time consultant with Groupe URD, was co-director of the Quality project and is currently involved in providing NGOs with organisational support in adopting Quality approaches. Aurélie MORELLIFinancial Administrator -- Aurélie trained as an Executive Assistant and worked for a number of years as an Administrative and Financial Director in a Communications agency specialised in security prevention and environmental issues. At Groupe URD, Aurélie is in charge of general accounting, and the coordination of administrative issues related to field visits and staff. She works with the Administrative and Financial Manager and is involved in the transparent and effective management of Groupe URD’s resources. Richener NOELAssistant Researcher -- Noël is a Sociologist and PhD student in Urban Geography. He has worked as an Assistant Researcher and has taught oral survey methodology and intangible heritage at Haiti State University. He has also published research on "Participatory democracy and the issue of decentralization" and "The emergence of Haitian civil society and the establishment of democracy in Haiti". He is currently an Assistant Researcher for Groupe URD’s Haiti Observatory. Julie PATINETResearcher: Water and sanitation -- Julie studied Geography and has a Masters degree in Geomatics and Development. She is a qualified Risk Prevention Territorial Engineer and worked in local development before turning to the aid sector. Her work with Groupe URD is focused on water, sanitation and hygiene. She is now also Groupe URD’s Environment researcher. Olivier SARRATResearcher: Information Systems -- Olivier Sarrat facilitates the Sigmah project on behalf of its 'Steering Cooperative'. He is a Software Developer and worked for an IT services company for three years before moving to the humanitarian sector and Groupe URD in 2007. He monitors developments in the area of Information and Communications Technology related to the aid sector, takes part in studies and evaluations which require his IT systems perspective and is involved in the Humanitarian Free and Open Source Software Movement. Bonaventure G. SOKPOHResearcher: Food security -- Bonaventure is an Agro-Economist. He conducts research and evaluations in connection with food security programmes in Africa and Asia. He runs training courses on the evaluation of humanitarian action and liaises with the Chad Office. Etienne SUTHERLANDTranslator -- Etienne is involved in the production of all Groupe URD documents in English. He is an experienced English teacher and has been an assistant trainer on Groupe URD courses in English.Jeanne TAISSONCommunication -- Jeanne is responsible for external and internal communications at Groupe URD. She supervises the production of newsletters and is involved in the organisation of events. She also takes part in certain operational research projects and contributes to the Quality project. She is trilingual, has training in journalism and a Masters degree in Humanitarian management. Collective learning within the humanitarian sector._3e5a3562-9522-11e4-842b-478f2349f805To improve the quality of humanitarian aid_3e5a367a-9522-11e4-842b-478f2349f805UrgenceRehabilitationDevelopmentEvaluationEvaluation and analysis: Drawing lessons from experience via evaluations and operational researchInnovationDeveloping tools and methodsDisseminationManaging knowledge and sharing it with humanitarian actors via publications, conferences and discussion forumsTrainingTraining and support: Strengthening the capacity of humanitarian actors via training courses and organisational supportInfluencePromoting better quality in aid through advocacy in order to improve the conditions in which humanitarian action is implemented.AnalysisDevelop strategic analysis of emergency and post-emergency contexts_3e5a3788-9522-11e4-842b-478f2349f8051As an independent observer, we have a global and cross-sector vision which allows us to develop strategic analysis of emergency and post-emergency contexts. This specific quality means we are in a position to make proposals and develop innovative tools for the humanitarian sector.Today, Groupe URD works on themes which are specific to each operational sector (Nutrition, Water and sanitation, Protection, Urbanism, etc.) as well as on cross-cutting issues such as aid quality, the environment, disaster risk reduction and prevention and LRRD._3e5a383c-9522-11e4-842b-478f2349f805AdviceProvide strategic advice to operational and policy-oriented organizations_3e5a3918-9522-11e4-842b-478f2349f8052United Nations AgenciesDonorsRed Cross InstitutionsNGOsAs an internationally recognized think tank, we provide strategic advice to operational and policy-oriented organizations (United Nations agencies, donors, Red Cross institutions, NGOs, etc.).Groupe URD is currently involved in two projects with institutional bodies, providing analytical input and guidance in assessing needs, etc.Think TankBuild and reinforce a think-tank dedicated to humanitarian action and post-crisis reconstruction_3e5a39f4-9522-11e4-842b-478f2349f8052.1French Ministry of Foreign and European AffairsFrench Development AgencyAt the national level:In May 2011 we signed a strategic and financial agreement with the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs’ Centre de Crise and the French Development Agency. The objective of this agreement is to build and reinforce a think-tank dedicated to humanitarian action and post-crisis reconstruction by 2014. As part of this agreement, Groupe URD provides the Centre de Crise with guidance in its drawing up of humanitarian policy and contributes to the French Development Agency’s reflections concerning their post-crisis operations. The agreement also helps to build our role as a think tank. The partnership that we have established means that Groupe URD is able to monitor the main issues affecting the sector and allows us to be present in the French and international networks, conduct studies and produce documents with specific recommendations and proposals as well as organising and hosting meetings, training courses, seminars and conferences.Policy DevelopmentDevelop policies through research, workshop facilitation and the dissemination of results_3e5a3ae4-9522-11e4-842b-478f2349f8052.2Global Public Policy Institute (GPPI)Instituto de Estudios sobre Conflictos y Acción humanitaria (IECAH)DG ECHOAt european level:Groupe URD together with the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPI) and Instituto de Estudios sobre Conflictos y Acción humanitaria (IECAH) have been selected to support the European Union’s humanitarian aid department (DG ECHO) in developing policies through research, workshop facilitation and the dissemination of results. These institutions have founded the INSPIRE consortium for this purpose. The consortium is coordinated by Groupe URD.Since 2012 the consortium provides DG ECHO with advice and expertise on critical humanitarian issues such as gender, nutrition, protection, water and sanitation, and other sectors and issues. The INSPIRE consortium also assist DG ECHO in the dissemination of these policies through workshops and trainings. The INSPIRE consortium works in close consultation with DG ECHO, its partners in Brussels and those at the country level.For more information on this project, please contact Véronique de Geoffroy2015-01-05http://www.urd.org/Our-missionOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net