International assistance is traditionally separated into humanitarian relief and development cooperation. Humanitarian organizations offer short-term protection during emergencies (saving lives and alleviating suffering), while development organizations work in stabilized environments to improve long-term social and economic wellbeing.
However, crises rarely have clearly defined end dates when humanitarian actors can leave and development work begins. These situations may persist for years or even decades, and the transition period between crisis and development is often impossible to define and thereforee extremely difficult to address.
At RET, our mandate centered on young people and vulnerable women allows us to propose solutions that bridge the gaps between humanitarian relief and development aid. We provide tailor-made contextual solutions and respond to crises but also work to address the immediate and long-term needs of crisis-affected populations.
For a transition from crisis to stable societies to occur, a peace dimension is absolutely critical. RET not only protects vulnerable people but also lays the foundations for sustainable interventions of the future.
The triple nexus encapsulates to this philosophy, recognizing that humanitarian, development, and peace actions all have a role to play in the long-term safety, security, and prosperity of communities. We believe strongly that young people are already potential actors during a crisis, as well as agents of social change, representing the future of their communities. They have essential roles in both the present and the future.
Because of this mandate, our work spans a number of sectors and areas of intervention.
RET works with a number of institutional organizations as an implementing partner, including:
ECHO
European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNHCR
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNICEF
United Nations Children’s Fund
UNFPA
United Nations Population Fund
IOM
International Organization for Migration (United Nations)
WHO
World Health Organization
OCHA
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (United Nations)
RET is an active member of the following working groups and alliances:
Education Cannot Wait
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of the Educational Technical Task Team
• Member of Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) Northern Group
Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is the first global fund dedicated to education in emergencies and protracted crises. It is comprised of international humanitarian and development aid actors, along with public and private donors, to help reposition education as a priority on the humanitarian agenda, usher in a more collaborative approach among actors on the ground and foster additional funding to ensure that every crisis-affected child and young person is in school and learning.
Global Refugee Forum (UNHCR)
UNHCR protects people forced to flee their homes as well as stateless persons. It delivers life-saving assistance in emergencies, safeguards fundamental human rights, and helps find long-term solutions so refugees can find a safe place to call home. In this forum, RET works primarily in the education and durable solutions sectors.
Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
• Member since 2001
• Steering Committee (2010–2016)
• Co-chair with the World Bank and IRC (2012–2016)
Like RET, INEE’s mission is to ensure the right to a quality, safe, and relevant education for all who live in emergency and crisis contexts through prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
RET joined the Steering Committee in 2010, taking on the Chairmanship together with the World Bank. We were also instrumental in the development of the Minimum Standards and launched the Minimum Standards in Geneva together with UNESCO and UNHCR.
RET’s working groups and alliances (continued):
Global Education Cluster
• Member of the Strategic Advisory Committee (Since 2017)
The Global Education Cluster works towards a predictable, equitable and well-coordinated response addressing education concerns of crisis affected populations by reinforcing capacities of cluster staff and partners, providing timely remote and direct field support, strengthening robust assessment, analysis and advocacy.
Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action
With members ranging from governments, UN entities, international and local NGOs, private sector, major youth organizations and networks, the Compact is a global call to prioritize the needs and rights of young women and men, girls and boys affected by disaster, conflict, forced displacement and other emergencies.
International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA)
Founded in 1962, ICVA is a global network of NGOs whose mission is to make humanitarian action more principled and effective by working collectively and independently to influence policy and practice.
R4V
• Partner since 2017
Co-led by UNHCR and IOM, R4V is one of the largest inter-agency global coordination exercises. RET, along with more than 200 organizations (including UN Agencies, civil society, religious organizations and NGOs, among others), coordinate their efforts under the Refugee and Migrant Response Plan for Venezuela (RMRP) in 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
RET participates in Regional Protection Sector Group (sub-sectors VBG, Child Protection and in the Support Spaces Working Group) and in the Regional Education Sector.
Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Educational Sector (GADRRRES)
This initiative ensures that children and adults in all learning facilities are safe from all hazards, and that schools contribute to building a culture of safety and resilience created the Comprehensive School Safety Framework 2022-2030 which is used globally.
Climate and Environment Charter
RET is a signatory along with 370 local, national, and international humanitarian organizations who have committed to address climate change and resilience in their work.
United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
Since 2005, RET has had a consultative status at ECOSOC, which allows us to attend international conferences and events or make written and oral statements at these events or enter UN premises in order to network, coordinate and raise awareness of the situation and role of young people in fragile environments.