ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the historic evolution of regional organisations (ROs) as humanitarian actors in the context of their relationship to the multilateral system, in relation to peace and security and in relation to the humanitarian system. The chapter explains two organisations that have been involved in humanitarian engagement the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). According to a report by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Pperations (DPKO), there were 16 ROs and arrangements engaged in collaboration with the UN in peace-related activities. UN Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA's) remaining assets and personnel were distributed between the specialised agencies of the newly formed UN the UN international children's emergency fund (UNICEF) in 1946, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945, the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, the International Refugee Organization which evolved into the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1951.
