Amid the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the UN 2720 Mechanism was established by UN Security Council Resolution 2720 in December 2023 to accelerate the provision of humanitarian relief. UNOPS is tasked with operationalizing and managing the mechanism, which aims to expedite, streamline and accelerate the delivery of aid by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and creating a more efficient, transparent process.

Working closely with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and coordinating with all relevant parties, UNOPS ensures the humanitarian nature and tracking of aid consignments as aid is transported through various land and sea corridors. By creating a single point for aid requests and tracking, the mechanism helps to ensure that assistance reaches civilians in need more effectively and transparently, ultimately saving lives. 

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In response to a severe humanitarian crisis, the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM) was established in 2015 at the request of the government of Yemen.

On behalf of UN Member States and OCHA, UNOPS is tasked with operationalizing and managing UNVIM, with the goal of facilitating the flow of commercial goods and bilateral assistance into the country. Through this, UNOPS has established and manages a transparent and efficient clearance process for commercial vessels destined for Yemeni Red Sea ports not under government control, ensuring compliance with the arms embargo mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

By creating a centralized, independent fast-track process for commercial shipping, UNVIM helps to keep Yemen’s economy afloat and prevent a total collapse of the supply chain, ultimately contributing to a more effective humanitarian response by streamlining the delivery of essential supplies – like food, fuel and medicine – to millions of people in need.

UNOPS provides a range of essential operational services to UN missions, enabling leaner, more integrated peace operations to deliver their mandates efficiently and effectively.

By entrusting these specialized services to UNOPS, UN missions reduce their operational burden and lower costs. This enables the UN to deliver on its missions while ensuring all support services meet the highest international standards.

Essential services include:

• Logistical coordination: UNOPS manages the delivery, transportation, storage and distribution of a mission's equipment and supplies, as well as movement of personnel. This is especially critical in remote or high-risk locations where enhanced safety and a secure and reliable supply chain is essential.

• Administrative and human resources support: UNOPS offers flexible and scalable human resources solutions, including recruitment, contract management and personnel administration. This allows missions to quickly deploy qualified personnel and manage a diverse workforce in an efficient and transparent manner.

• Infrastructure and facilities management: UNOPS provides critical infrastructure and facilities management for UN missions. This includes the construction, repair and maintenance of essential facilities like offices, accommodation and medical centres. UNOPS also manages fundamental services including waste disposal, power generation and water supply, which are vital for the safety and well-being of all personnel.

• Mine action support: UNOPS facilitates essential mine action for UN missions, which is critical for mission deployment, operations and the protection of personnel and civilians. UNOPS provides specialized technical expertise and implementation support, including robust explosive hazard management, capacity building and the procurement of specialized equipment, such as demining machines, explosive detection dogs and life-saving medical supplies.

• MINUSCA – UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic

• MONUSCO – UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

• UNSOS – UN Support Office in Somalia

• UNMISS – UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan

• MINURSO – UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara

• MINUSMA – UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali

• UNISFA – UN Interim Security Force for Abyei

• UNIFIL – UN Interim Force In Lebanon

• UNTMIS – UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia

• UNSMIL – UN Support Mission in Libya

• UNAMA – UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan

UNOPS supports the UN Special Envoy’s efforts to reach agreements aimed at ending the conflict in Yemen and resuming a Yemeni-led inclusive, political transition process that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people. The programme is managed by UNOPS and implemented by the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen.

UNOPS provides essential operational and logistical support to the UN's mediation and peacebuilding efforts, primarily through its management of the Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisers.

In partnership with the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, UNOPS handles the administrative, financial and operational aspects of the Standby Team, including the recruitment and rapid deployment of mediation experts to support UN envoys in conflict zones. By managing these essential functions, UNOPS enables UN mediators to focus on their core mission of facilitating dialogue and resolving conflicts effectively.