Global level

The Global Cluster lead agencies are expected to provide support to strengthen field response, including:

1. Technical surge capacity
2. Trained experts to lead cluster coordination at the field level
3. Increased stockpiles, some pre-positioned within regions
4. Standardized technical tools, including for information management
5. Agreement on common methods and formats for needs assessments monitoring and benchmarking
6. Best practices and lessons learned from field-tests.

While all the global clusters are important for the health of children and adolescents, some clusters are particularly relevant (listed here with their lead agency).

1. Global Health Cluster (WHO) – https://www.who.int/health-cluster/en/
2. Global Protection Cluster (UNHCR) – https://www.globalprotectioncluster.org/; particularly the Child Protection AoR (UNICEF) – https://cpaor.net/ and Gender-based violence AoR (UNFPA) – https://gbvaor.net/
3. Global Education Cluster (UNICEF, Save the Children) – https://www.educationcluster.net/
4. Global WASH Cluster (UNICEF) – http://www.washcluster.net/
5. Global Nutrition Cluster (UNICEF) – https://www.nutritioncluster.net/
6. Global Food Security Cluster (FAO, WFP) – https://fscluster.org/
7. Global Shelter Cluster (IFRC, UNHCR) – https://www.sheltercluster.org/

In addition to the clusters, certain agencies are responsible for important cross-cutting areas, including:

1. Gender (OCHA, Relief International, International Medical Corps, UNICEF)
2. HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS, IFRC)
3. Mental health and psychosocial support (UNICEF, World Vision International).

Country level

Clusters are only activated by the IASC when existing structures are unable (or unwilling) to meet the needs of a particular humanitarian emergency. In-country clusters are intended to be a temporary coordination solution with handover to local authorities as soon as feasible.
The process for cluster activation involves various people and agencies.

1. The Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) (head of the IASC) recognizes a deteriorating humanitarian situation and appoints a humanitarian coordinator (HC). This is usually the highest level UN official in the country, called the Resident Coordinator (RC).
2. The HC forms a humanitarian country team (HCT), which is a strategic and operational decision-making body and involves particular UN agencies and nongovernmental organizations.
3. The HC/HCT assess the humanitarian coordination and response capacity and needs.
4. The HC liaises with the ERC to decide which clusters (if any) should be activated, and select appropriate cluster lead agencies.
5. The ERC sends the proposal to the IASC principals and global clusters.
6. The ERC informs the HC of the decision within 24 hours.

After formal cluster activation, cluster lead agencies have a responsibility to coordinate their cluster – often in partnership with other UN, government and nongovernmental organization agencies. Cluster lead agencies report back to the humanitarian coordinator/humanitarian country team as well as to national authorities and people affected by the crisis.
National clusters have six core functions:

1. to support service delivery;
2. to inform the strategic decision-making of the humanitarian coordinator/humanitarian country team by assessing needs, analysing gaps, finding solutions and formulating priorities;
3. to plan and implement cluster strategies (including indicators and funding);
4. to monitor and evaluate performance;
5. to build national capacity in preparedness and contingency planning; and
6. to support robust advocacy.