Building a Stronger, More Predictable Humanitarian Building a Stronger, More Predictable Humanitarian Response SystemResponse System

National Disaster Preparedness Workshop, Kathmandu, Nepal, April 2010

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)

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“Well-known, long-standing gaps”

“Limited linkages” between UN and non-UN actors

Coordination erratic and dependent on personalities

Insufficient accountability (particularly for IDPs)

Donor policies inconsistent

Some Findings from theSome Findings from the2005 Humanitarian 2005 Humanitarian Response ReviewResponse Review

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THREE PILLARS OF REFORMTHREE PILLARS OF REFORMAND THE FOUNDATIONAND THE FOUNDATION

CLUSTER APPROACH

Adequate capacity and predictable leadership in

all sectors

HUMANITARIAN COORDINATORS

Effective leadership and coordination in humanitarian emergencies

HUMANITARIAN FINANCING

Adequate, timely and flexible financing

PARTNERSHIP

Strong partnerships between UN and non-UN actors

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PILLAR 1PILLAR 1

Adequate capacity and predictable leadership in all sectors

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Aim of the Cluster Aim of the Cluster ApproachApproach

High standards of predictability, accountability and partnership in all sectors or areas of activity

More strategic responses Better prioritization of available resources

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Major “New” EmergenciesMajor “New” Emergencies

“In the event of a sudden major new emergency requiring a multi-sectoral response with the participation of a wide range of international humanitarian actors, the cluster approach should be used from the start in planning and organizing the international response.“

The Guidance Note

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Within the first 24 hoursWithin the first 24 hours HC (or RC) consults relevant partners, proposes leads for

each major area. HC sends proposal to ERC ERC shares proposal with Global Cluster Leads

Within 24 hours of receiving proposal from HCWithin 24 hours of receiving proposal from HC ERC ensures agreement at global levelERC ensures agreement at global level ERC communicates agreement to HC and partnersERC communicates agreement to HC and partners HC(or RC) informs host government and all partnersHC(or RC) informs host government and all partners

Activation for Major New Activation for Major New EmergencyEmergency

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On-Going EmergenciesOn-Going Emergencies

A Humanitarian Coordinator has been A Humanitarian Coordinator has been appointed.appointed.

Beyond ScopeBeyond Scope Multi-sector responseMulti-sector response Wide range of actorsWide range of actors

When…

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Normative Normative - Standard setting and consolidation of ‘best Standard setting and consolidation of ‘best

practice’practice’ Build response capacityBuild response capacity- Training and system development at local,

regional and international levels- Surge capacity and standby rosters- Material stockpiles Operational SupportOperational Support

Emergency preparednessAdvocacy and resource mobilization

Responsibilities of Global Cluster Responsibilities of Global Cluster LeadsLeads

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Cluster/Sector Working Group1. Agriculture2. Camp Coordination & Camp Mgmt3. Early Recovery4. Education5. Emergency Shelter6. Emergency Telecomms7. Health8. Logistics9. Nutrition10. Protection11. Water, Sanitation & Hygiene12. Food Security13. Refugees

Global Cluster Leads FAO

UNHCR & IOM UNDP

UNICEF & Save the ChildrenUNHCR & IFRC (Convenor)WFP & UNICEFWHOWFPUNICEFUNHCRUNICEFWFPUNHCR

Global Capacity-BuildingGlobal Capacity-Building

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Cluster / Sector Working Groups

Camp Coordination & Camp Mgmt Education Emergency Shelter Health & Nutrition Protection Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Food Security (includes Agriculture) Emergency Telecomms (dormant) Logistics (dormant) Early Recovery (as a network)

Cluster Leads

IOM UNICEF & Save the Children

IFRC (Convenor) & UN HABITATWHO & UNICEFOHCHR (UNICEF & UNFPA)UNICEFWFP (& FAO tbc)WFPWFPUNDP

Clusters in NepalClusters in Nepal

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Inclusion of key humanitarian partners Develop appropriate coordination mechanisms Coordination with national/local authorities, local civil

society etc. Participatory and community-based approaches Attention to priority cross-cutting issues (age,

environment, gender, HIV/AIDS etc) Coordinate needs assessments and analysis Information management

Terms of Reference for Terms of Reference for Cluster/Sector leadsCluster/Sector leads

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Emergency preparedness Planning and strategy development Application of standards (e.g. Sphere) Monitoring and reporting Advocacy and resource mobilization Training and capacity building Provider of last resort

Terms of Reference for Terms of Reference for Cluster/Sector Leads (contd)Cluster/Sector Leads (contd)

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1. Global cluster leads are accountable to the ERC for carrying out their TORs.

2. Field cluster leads do not report to GCLs they report to the HC.

3. Field clusters should use the GCLS as a resource.

e.g. advice on global standards; policies and best practice; as well as for operational support; general guidance and training programmes.

Relationship between Clusters at Relationship between Clusters at Country and Global LevelCountry and Global Level

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Accountability (contd.)Accountability (contd.)

The cluster approach itself does not require that humanitarian actors be held accountable to cluster leads. Likewise, it does not demand accountability of non-UN actors to UN agencies. Individual humanitarian organizations can only be held accountable to cluster leads in cases where they have made specific commitment to this effect.

Are participants in cluster/sector groups accountable to the cluster/sector lead?

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Accountability (contd.)Accountability (contd.)

Accountability to Affected Accountability to Affected PopulationsPopulations

New commitments toNew commitments to:: Participative & community-based approachesParticipative & community-based approaches Common needs assessments and prioritizationCommon needs assessments and prioritization Enhanced standardsEnhanced standards Common monitoring and evaluationCommon monitoring and evaluation

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Represents commitment of sector leads to do their best to ensure adequate and appropriate response..

As agreed by the IASC Principals, sector leads are responsible for acting as the provider of last resort (subject to access, security and availability of funding) to meet agreed priority needs and will be supported by the HC and the ERC in their resource mobilization efforts in this regard.

If funds are not available the Cluster Lead CANNOT be expected to implement activities.

Provider of Last ResortProvider of Last Resort

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2010 – Co-chairing of Clusters by GoN Focal Points2010 – Co-chairing of Clusters by GoN Focal Points 2011 – Clusters Chaired by GoN Focal Points2011 – Clusters Chaired by GoN Focal Points 2010 June – Cluster Trainings – National ToT in KTM, 2 Regional 2010 June – Cluster Trainings – National ToT in KTM, 2 Regional Workshops in Nepalgunj and BiratnagarWorkshops in Nepalgunj and Biratnagar Revision of Contingency Plans, Simulations and Trainings Revision of Contingency Plans, Simulations and Trainings (ongoing)(ongoing) Use of Clusters at the Regional/District LevelsUse of Clusters at the Regional/District Levels Timetable of Cluster Meetings being UpdatedTimetable of Cluster Meetings being Updated Inter-Cluster Coordination?Inter-Cluster Coordination?

Clusters – The Way Forward for Clusters – The Way Forward for Nepal?Nepal?

Humanitarian Reform Humanitarian Reform Website:Website:

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