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Integrated Multi-Disciplinary Planning Approach
108. when a massive humanitarian emergency arises, the approach adopted in provision of aid is sometimes based on ad hoc de-
cisions which amount more to a series of reactions than actions.
The planning process in cases of mass exodus situations must, right from the beginning, be solution-oriented. While providing for immediate needs, attention must be paid as to what should be
done so that
that the situation does not perpetuate itself. Both
psychologically and politically, such an attitude adopted at the
beginning can have salutary
have salutary long-term effects, particularly if
the root causes are investigated at the same time as mass exodus
begins. This means that the very first missions undertaken to
respond to the challenge must have the benefit, not only of technicians covering various aid sectors, such as health, nu-
trition and sanitation, but also a small group of anthropologists, historians and experts on the area. Quite often, the first
response from the United Nations to the request of the country at
the receiving end of the mass exodus is a fact-finding cum negotiating mission consisting of international civil servants,
most of whom are generalists.
109. Aid budgets are sometimes negotiated with recipient govern-
ments without adequate prior input from experts. The task of
any special representative of the Secretary-General should, at
the very inception of a mass exodus situation, be to assemble a
multi-disciplinary group which could provide to the United
Nations agencies and to governments a comprehensive plan of
action. A short list of readily available experts for all
potential areas of mass exodus, consisting not only of human
resources within the United Nations system but more importantly,
of outsiders could be drawn up. International agencies would
surely stand to gain by using more short-term consultants