The Global Shelter Cluster (GSC) is an Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) coordination mechanism that supports people affected by natural disasters and internally displaced people affected by conflict with the means to live in safe, dignified and appropriate shelter. The GSC enables better coordination among all shelter actors, including local and national governments, so that people who need shelter assistance get help faster and receive the right kind of support.
The GSC is is a public platform co-chaired by IFRC and UNHCR at the global level, it has 44 partners who participate on a regular basis. IFRC is convener of the Shelter Cluster in natural disasters while UNHCR leads the Shelter Cluster in conflict situations.
In order to effectively meet its global responsibilities, the GSC has agreed to organize and coordinate its activities through a management approach that allows participation and at the same time streamlines decision making. The GSC management structure has been informed by the experience of country-level shelter clusters since 2006 and recommendations by the Sub-Working Group on the Cluster Approach in implementing the Transformative Agenda. This management structure is the following:
- Strategic Advisory Group (SAG): permanent body that works to advance the cluster strategic direction, overall work plan, and advocacy. The SAG is composed of self-selecting agencies and institutions of the Global Shelter Cluster based on agreed criteria, and reports to the Global Shelter Cluster.
- Working Groups: task-oriented and temporary structure with clear executable deliverables that are established by the SAG to address particular identified needs.
- Communities of Practice: thematic groups of professional/expert individuals that provide technical and surge support to Global or Country-level clusters, develop "good practices", and address critical issues within their areas of expertise. Their work is not time-bound as they typically support core ongoing cluster functions.
- Support Team: a team of dedicated personnel seconded by different cluster partners. This team is the support cell or secretariat of the GSC and is responsible for the day to day running of the GSC. It provides technical and surge support to country level shelter clusters and facilitates the work of the SAG, Working Groups, and Communities of Practice of the Global Shelter Cluster. It also provides inputs to inter-agency discussions and inter-cluster coordination at the global level, and contributes to building capacity and enhancing preparedness.
Click here for the structure of the Global Shelter Cluster
Overview
