Humanitarian Reform Newsletter - Sep 2006

The first Humanitarian Reform Newsletter is based on inputs from the clusters themselves. This in an effort to increase information sharing on the reform process and provide a vehicle to share work of the Global Cluster leads with the field.

The Cluster Approach: Strengthening humanitarian response capacity by enhancing leadership, accountability and predictability.

Overview: The Cluster Approach is currently being implemented in Uganda, Somalia, DRC and Liberia (IASC agreed roll-out countries). It was also used in Pakistan, Lebanon and Yogjakarta, Indonesia. It is now also being introduced in other countries such as Cote d'Ivoire.

Policy: An IASC Preliminary Guidance Note on Implementation of the Cluster Leadership Approach was sent to the field in June 2006. A revised version was discussed at the 9 October ad hoc meeting of the IASC Working Group and is currently being finalised.

Self-Assessment: The IASC interim self-assessment of the Cluster Approach is underway in advance of a larger external evaluation to be undertaken in 2007. This will include a summary of existing reviews of the cluster approach to date (roll-out and non-rollout countries) together with workshops in each of the four IASC roll-out countries (DRC, Liberia, Somalia and Uganda). A draft report is expected to be presented to the IASC WG in November, and would support discussions of the IASC Principles meeting in December.

2006 Cluster Appeal: The Cluster Appeal, which requested $39 million is currently 57% funded. Top funded clusters are Camp Management and Coordination (100%), Protection (96%), Watsan (90%), and Emergency Shelter (86%). Remaining clusters are between 40 -50% funded.