International humanitarian standards under the leadership of the GoV Ha Noi, 4 November 2008.

International humanitarian standards under the leadership

of the GoV

Ha Noi, 4 November 2008

Cluster Leadership ApproachIn case of major disaster -(i) national capacities

overwhelmed, (ii) Emergency requiring a multi-sectoral response and, (iii) long term impact- strengthened coordination mechanisms will be required.

CLA aims to improved international support in the aftermath of a disaster (emergency, rehabilitation, reconstruction). Consequently, national response would be benefited.

Vietnam complying with humanitarian reform and international standards

What are the global/suggested clusters?

Coordination cluster where cluster leads/co-leads meet

dGlobal Cluster Leads

Sector or Area of Activity Global Cluster Lead

Agriculture FAO

Camp Coordination/Management: IDPs (from conflict) Disaster situations

UNHCR

IOM

Early Recovery UNDP

Education UNICEF Save The Children - United Kingdom

Emergency Shelter: IDPs (from conflict) Disaster situations

UNHCR IFRC (Convener)*

Emergency Telecommunications OCHA/UNICEF/WFP

Health WHO

Logistics WFP

Nutrition UNICEF

Protection: IDPs (from conflict) Disasters/civilians affected by conflict (other than IDPs)* *

UNHCR UNHCR/OHCHR/UNICEF

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene UNICEF

CLA can/must be adjusted to national needsLeads should only be designated for the sectors

that are relevant to the emergencyCluster leads: GoV or International

Community?Cluster co-leads and members?Cluster ToRsCluster workplans

What are Cluster Leads Responsible For? Accountable for ensuring system-wide preparedness

and technical capacity to respond to humanitarian emergencies

Ensuring greater predictabilityResponsible for establishing broad partnership

bases (i.e. "clusters")

Advocate for adequate Standards and policy-settingArrangement for operational support (last resort

suppliers)

Are Participants in Cluster Groups Accountable to the Cluster Lead? The cluster approach itself does not require

that humanitarian actors be held accountable to sector leads

It does not demand accountability of non-UN actors to UN agencies

Individual humanitarian organizations can only be held accountable to sector leads in cases where they have made specific commitments to this effect

Cluster approach in Vietnam (context)Is it new?

Ministries , CCFSC/IAWGand NGO RC sectoral working groups

Could it be relevant?In case of major disaster/complex emergency

What is the particular context in Viet Nam?Strong leadership and capacity from the GovernmentNumber of active INGOs (that will increase

dramatically in case of major disaster)One UN: advocating for international standards

Cluster approach in VietnamDifferent cluster – different GoV agencies

leading. Examples:Emergency shelter: Lead MoC, co – lead IFRCAgriculture: Lead MARD, co-lead Oxfam or FAOHealth cluster: Lead MoH, co-lead WHOEtc.

Coordination cluster (crucial):Cluster lead: CCFSC/PACCOMCluster co-lead: DMWG or UN

Consultation - GovtCCFSC, DMC

Very high level of interest and supportStrong desire for further discussion/preparationsSupport for Government to take lead role

PACCOMSupports application of CLAStressed the need to gain support and input from

NGOs and DMWGDiscussion of possible links with NGO Resource

Centre Working Groups

Consultation - NGOsNGO sample group

Strong support for cluster leadership approachPreparation must take place to eliminate possible

problemsSurveys

Generally very positivePossible issues raised:

No record of “major disaster” in Vietnam Coordination/competition between clusters Accountability Internal organization communication

ConclusionsCluster Leadership Approach is necessary and

appropriate for Vietnam for major disasters only. Strong interest from Govt and NGOs

Must be customized to Vietnamese context, including:Govt ministries/agencies as cluster leadsNGOs or UN agencies as co-leads

Detailed planning need to be ready and to avoid possible problems

RecommendationDMWG to agree to move forward with

preparations for the implementation of the cluster leadership approach in the event of a major disaster, including:Continue discussions with Government and other

key stakeholdersIdentify and confirm cluster leads, co-leads and

membersReview and finalize draft TORs and structure

including roles and responsibilities

ScenarioMajor Typhoon hits northern VietnamStorm damage as far inland as Thai NguyenFlooding and Flash Flooding from Quang Ninh to

Dien Bien and as far south as Thanh Hoa26 Provinces (Population: approx. 30 million)

11 provinces severely affectedAnother 15 partially affected

200+ NGOs, UN agencies, donors and other organizations seeking to provide assistance90+ to support most affect province of Hai Phong120+ to supply food