Global Shelter Cluster
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 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.
Global Shelter Cluster Structure
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:
- Global Shelter Cluster (GSC) Partnership: diverse network of operational, technical and academic organisations, donors and other stakeholders with a shared objective of strengthening humanitarian shelter and settlement response.
- Global Cluster Lead Agencies (GCLAs): GSC is co-led by UNHCR and the IFRC. UNHCR leads in conflict situations, while IFRC convenes the Shelter Cluster in natural disaster situations.
- Strategic Advisory Group (SAG): permanent body to advance GSC strategic direction and overall workplan; elected by and composed of organisations from the GSC partnership.
- Global Support Team (GST): dedicated team seconded by cluster partners to provide technical, coordination, IM and other identified support for country clusters through surge, preparedness and capacity building; supports GSC functioning and interaction with other clusters and organisations.
- Donor Consultation Group (DCG): donors supporting humanitarian shelter wishing to contribute to the work of the SAG and advance GSC strategic direction and advocacy efforts.
- Working Groups (WG): task-oriented, time-bound structures with clear deliverables; established by the SAG to address identified sector gaps.
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Communities of Practice (CoPs): groups of expert individuals providing technical and thematic support to global or country level clusters and developing good practice. A virtual space for information sharing and problem solving.
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