1. A complex emergency has been defined as a humanitarian crisis in a country, region or society where there is considerable able breakdown of authority resulting from inter or external conflict which requires an inter es international response that goes beyond the mandate or capactity of any single agency and/or the ongoing United Nations country program … complex emergencies are typically characterized by: extensive violence and loss of life; massive displacementsof people; widespread damage to socities and economies; the need for large-scale, multifaceted humanitarian assistance; the hindrance or prevention of humanitarian assistance; the hindrance or prevention of humanitarian assistance by political and military constraints, and significant security risks for humanitarian relief workers in some areas (Inter-AgencyStanding Committee, 1994).Google Scholar

2. Gaps in crisis response commonly include the surveillance and management of communicable disease outbreaks; adequate safe water supplies and functioning sanitation; access to health care for pregnant women and children; functioning and accessible hospital services for trauma, gynecology, obstetrics and management priority chronic illness; and professional responses to mental ill-health, nutritional services and other needs.Google Scholar

3. See document EB115/2005/REC/2, summary record of the first, second, and twelfth meetings.Google Scholar

4. See document PB/2006-2007.Google Scholar