The Cluster Approach at the Country Level

In 2005 the IASC Principals agreed that the cluster approach should be used in all major new emergencies.

The IASC agreed that there should be a phased implementation of the cluster approach in on-going emergencies. IASC partners agreed that Humanitarian Country Teams, under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator, should drive this process, in order to ensure proper ownership.

At the end of 2006, the IASC conducted an Interim Self-Assessment of Implementation of the Cluster Approach in the Field. The Interim Self-Assessment provided a progress report, highlighting main trends, themes and lessons from field experience. The Self-Assessment provided a good opportunity for field staff to contribute to policy discussions at the global level.

In November 2006 the IASC Working Group agreed that the cluster approach should henceforth be used in all contingency planning for major new emergencies which involve multi-sectoral responses with the participation of a wide range of international humanitarian actors. It was also agreed that it should be introduced in all countries with Humanitarian Coordinators.

To support this process, an IASC Task Team was established to assist in providing additional guidance, support and training where this is needed (click here for the work of the Task Team).

In 2007 and 2008 two-phase external evaluations of the clusters’ impact, focusing on their practical contribution to the quality and effectiveness of humanitarian response were undertaken. For more details, please see Cluster Evaluations.

 The Cluster Approach in countries with Humanitarian Coordinators

27 of the 29 countries with Humanitarian Coordinators are formally implementing the cluster approach:

Afghanistan                        Burundi                       Central African Republic [CAR]                  Chad

Colombia                            Côte d’Ivoire              Dominican Republic                                      Democratic Republic of Congo            

Eritrea                                Ethiopia                       Guinea                                                           Haiti                        

Indonesia                            Iraq                             Kenya                                                             Liberia                                

Myanmar                           Nepal                           Niger                                                              occupied Palestinian territories                     

Pakistan                             Philippines                   Somalia                                                          Sri Lanka                    

Sudan                                 Timor-Leste                Uganda                                                              Yemen

Zimbabwe                  

                                                           

 Countries that have used the cluster approach to respond to a major new emergency

 The Cluster Approach

The "Guidance Note on using the Cluster Approach to Strengthen Humanitarian Response" aims to support the implementation of the cluster approach at field level and includes the Terms of Reference of the Cluster/Sector Lead at the Country Level.

GUIDANCE NOTE ON USING THE CLUSTER APPROACH TO STRENGTHEN HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE.

In the later part of 2006, an interim self-assessment of initial efforts to use the cluster approach was completed. The self-assessment found major advancements in some areas and clearly pointed to areas where improvement was needed. 

IASC INTERIM SELF-ASSESSMENT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CLUSTER APPROACH IN THE FIELD

 Cross-cutting issues
A Review Team lead by UNDP had been working together to develop a comprehensive approach to integrating crosscutting issues within the cluster approach. The group was tasked by the Global Cluster Leads with formulating recommendations for a common working model to integrate cross-cutting issues into the work of the clusters at both global and country levels.

Gender, HIV/AIDS, Environment, Protection (including Human Rights), Camp Coordination and Camp Management, and Early Recovery are currently recognized as Cross-cutting issues.

All Cluster Leads and other stakeholders need to work together to ensure that common information management systems are further enhanced to more effectively support operational and strategic planning requirements within each sector and system-wide planning and coordination. Cluster/sector lead agencies also need to engage partners within each cluster/group to develop a common system that is also compatible with each partner’s priorities to identify gaps and monitor the delivery and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance.

 Key Documents

 Cluster approach Roll-out

The IASC has agreed that the cluster approach should be the framework for response in major new emergencies and that it should eventually be applied in all countries with Humanitarian Coordinators. In terms of how to introduce the cluster approach at the country level, the IASC has agreed that this should be a field-driven process, as outlined in the IASC Guidance Note on Using the Cluster Approach to Strengthen Humanitarian Response and the IASC Working Group’s Rome Statement of November 2007.

At the 69th IASC Working Group meeting in Rome on 5-7 November 2007, the Working Group
"Requested global cluster leads to assist humanitarian country teams in assessing additional resources or support needed to adapt their working methods to conform to the cluster approach, and requested OCHA to facilitate the development of a global cluster implementation plan and to provide by March 2008 an update on roll-out plans, based on information provided to the ERC by Humanitarian Coordinators and humanitarian country teams."

 Related Documents