Geneva

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

OCHA is among the top humanitarian partners for Estonia. Since 2014, Estonia is also a member of the OCHA Donor Support Group ODSG. ODSG is comprised of 30 biggest donors of OCHA, who all together provide 95% of its budget. Being a part of the ODSG shows Estonia’s support to OCHA and allows Estonia to play a role in ensuring the better functioning of humanitarian affairs coordination and making the organisation more effective.

Read more about OCHA statistics and appeals from here.

Estonia and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)

Estonia has supported the activities of the UNHCR since 2001. Since 2007, Estonia has been a member of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR (UNHCR ExCom). Permanent Representation of Estonia in Geneva cooperates with the Ministry of the Interior in representing Estonia at the UNHCR. The UNHCR covers Estonia from its regional office in Stockholm and also has a country office in Tallinn.

Read more about UNHCR data, statistics, and requests for assistance from here.

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Estonia is a member of IOM since 2004 and cooperates closely with the organisation, including through IOM’s office in Tallinn and IOM’s headquarters in Geneva. To represent Estonia, Permanent Mission of Estonia in Geneva works closely with the Ministry of Interior.

Read more about IOM appeals and statistics.

Estonia and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

ICRC is Estonia’s main humanitarian partner outside the UN system. In 1998, Estonia made its very first voluntary contribution to a humanitarian organisation, which went to ICRC. This can be considered the moment, when Estonia became a donor and started supporting the global humanitarian system. Estonia supports the activities of the ICRC with an annual voluntary donation and targeted allocations in response to requests for assistance, for example in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Syria.

Estonia joined the state parties of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols in 1993. Respect to the international humanitarian law (IHL) in all crises is crucial. Attacks on civilians, medical facilities, schools and humanitarian aid workers must not be tolerated and the hindering of delivery of humanitarian assistance in areas affected by armed conflicts is of significant concern.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Estonia cooperates with IFRC, in order to contribute to the response to natural disasters and to guarantee that humanitarian assistance gets to those in need through the National Societies, who are often the first actors to respond. Estonian Red Cross is also a member of IFRC. Estonia has often supported IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund.

Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD)

Estonia has joined the informal donor forum and network of the GHD initiative  and places much importance on the 24 Good Humanitarian Donorship Principles.

Estonia was in 2023-2025 together with United Kingdom the co-chair of the GHD initiative.

World Health Organization (WHO)

Estonia joined WHO in 1993 and is a member of the European region. Additionally, WHO has six regional offices as well as a large number of country offices, including the one in Tallinn. The European Regional Office is located in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Estonia is an active member of WHO and was a member of the Executive Board from 2009-2012, represented by Dr Maris Jesse. In 2015, Estonia represented the European Region in WHO’s governance reform working group. From 2015-2016 Estonia was the European regional coordinator in Geneva, represented by Taavo Lumiste. The Permanent Representation of Estonia in Geneva cooperates on WHO topics with the Ministry of Social Affairs.