Humanitarian Affairs

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a UN agency established in 1991 to enhance the response to humanitarian emergencies worldwide. OCHA plays a vital role in spearheading emergency response operations, mobilizing resources, and advocating on behalf of crisis-affected groups worldwide. 

Greece has been actively engaged with OCHA through its humanitarian aid programs, particularly via Hellenic Aid (Frontpage - Hellenic Aid), the Directorate-General for Development and Humanitarian Assistance under the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As a member of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD, Greece contributes to global humanitarian efforts, focusing on emergency relief, disaster response, and development cooperation. 

Through Hellenic Aid, Greece provides financial and logistical support to humanitarian operations coordinated by OCHA, contributing both to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and to country-specific humanitarian funds that address urgent needs in crisis-affected regions. Greece plays a consistent role in supporting CERF, while also allocating resources to thematic and regional humanitarian funds that deliver targeted assistance to vulnerable populations. 

Greece’s Permanent Mission in Geneva also plays a diplomatic role in humanitarian affairs, advocating for stronger international cooperation in crisis management. As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2025-2026), Greece has emphasized the importance of humanitarian protection and rapid response mechanisms