Humanitarian Reform and Logistics
Cluster
The Logistics Cluster
Global Logistics Cluster Support Cell (GLCSC), Rome
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Today’s goals

To introduce the Logistics Cluster, its specificities
and modus operandi

To clarify & explain the « Do » and « Don’t do »

To identify areas of cooperation between UN
Women and the Logistics Cluster operations
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Logistics Cluster
HC Office - OCHA
WASH
Nutrition
Health
Relief &
Assistance to
Beneficiaries
Food
What are clusters?
 Each Cluster has a
Emergency Shelter
lead agency and in
CCCM
some cases they have
Agriculture
Cross-Cutting
Education
a co-lead
Early Recovery
organisation
Protection
Emergency Telecoms
Service
Provision
Logistics
www.logcl
uster.org
What do the Cluster Leads At Global Level?
They are responsible to ensure leadership and accountability through 3 key areas:
1. Normative
- Standard setting and consolidation of “best practice”
2. Build response capacity
- Training and system development at local, regional and international levels
- Surge capacity and standby rosters
- Material stockpiles
3. Operational Support
- Emergency preparedness
- Advocacy and resource mobilization
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WHEN DO WE ACTIVATE THE CLUSTERS?
► For any major new or on-going emergencies
Several criteria that can trigger a Cluster activation:
 Lack of capacity on the ground
 Multi-sector response
 Wide range of actors
 The decision lies primarily in the field
 The HC in close consultation with the Humanitarian Country
Team (HCT) agree on appropriate sectors and leads based on
clear assessment of needs and gaps
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What is the Logistics Cluster?
A Group of organisations working together to improve the
logistics response during emergencies
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The Global Logistics Cluster Support Cell (GLCSC)
Since 2007, the Logistics Cluster has had a dedicated Cell, based in the Logistics
Division of WFP Rome HQ, consisting in a team of multi-skilled logisticians drawn
from: WFP, ACF, CARE International, WVI, MSB, UNICEF and UNHCR
Main activities:
Provides field Clusters with strategy, policy guidance, mobilisation support and /
or surge capacity
 Advocate for and support preparedness / capacity building projects
 Promote the integration of services, systems and information
 Facilitate the exploitation of shared assets, aptitudes and competencies


The Cell does not attempt to run logistics operations of behalf of participating
organisations, but rather assumes that participating organisations will utilise the
cell’s services and capacities to strengthen their own logistics capabilities.
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
Emergency Preparedness -Role of Logistics Cluster
▶ Collect, analyze and disseminate logistics information within the
Cluster and to the wider humanitarian community.
▶Formalise existing logistics coordination mechanisms among
humanitarian actors, local and national authorities and private
enterprise.
▶Promote/support training of staff to strengthen the capacity of the
national authorities and humanitarian actors.
▶Ensure systems in place to ensure an efficient and timely response
to emergencies.
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The Logistics Cluster in the field
How is it activated?
 The decision lies primarily in the field
If the activation of a Logistics Cluster is being considered:
1. A Logistics Response Team (LRT) is sent to assess the situation
2. The LRT recommends if activation is needed or not
3. The HC / HCT decides which Clusters to activate and advises the
Emergency Relief Coordinator
4. The ERC requests Global Leads (through IASC) to endorse the
activation.
5. If activated: the LRT usually initiates Logistics Cluster operations
A LRT can be comprised of members from different organisations, including staff from the GLCSC
NB: a logistics Cluster can be recommended without LRT if there is already sufficient expertise on the
ground
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The Logistics Cluster in the field
What will happen?
1.The first step will be to produce a Concept of Operations (ConOps)
specifying the specific set-up, roles, responsibilities and procedures
intented to be put in place
2. Once the ConOps is agreed by all participating organisations, a
concrete Operational Plan (OpsPlan) is finalised. Depending on the
identified gaps to be addressed, common services with SOPs can be
proposed
NB: The ConOps aims at enabling new staff and organisations arriving at the theatre of
operations to immediately have a clear understanding of what and how it is planned to
implement the relief operation.
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Additional Info available at:
Website:
http://www.logcluster.org
E-mail:
global.logisticscluster@wfp.org
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What will the Logistics Cluster do?
1. First of all: Coordination and Information Management
2. When necessary, provision of common services:
If identified and commonly agreed that it is the best way forward,
common services can be put in place, i.e.:
• UNHAS for air assets (passengers and / or cargo)
• Transport fleet (trucks, boats)
• Warehousing
•Cargo tracking …
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What will the Logistics Cluster not do?
What are the Logistics Cluster specificities ?
1. The Logistics cluster is not WFP ... And vice-versa

There are no WFP country offices in the Pacific region, because there
are no WFP programs in the region
 The Logistics Cluster will not set up services that WFP may do
where it operates (Internet Access, equipment / facilities
shared...)
 No opportunities for gender requirements in contracting /
service provision
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What will the Logistics Cluster not do?
What are the Logistics Cluster specificities ?
2. The Logistics cluster has no legal entity

The LC is not able contracting a supplier or a service provider 
Minimum Gender related requirements in contracting with suppliers/
services providers are not possible through the LC
2. The Logistics cluster is a Service Provision Cluster

No links with programs  Gender issues related to Program design,
beneficiaries identification / selection, etc. are not relevant
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Opportunities for potential collaboration
1. Advocacy

The Logistics Cluster, when activated, is a forum where agencies
involved in Logistics operations coordinate and exchange
 Advocacy on Gender issues is possible toward LC members
(especially when national agencies are involved in operations)
 If there are significant gender related problems (or protection
problems, labour rights issues) in the country, of course,
information from relevant forums are welcome
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Opportunities for potential collaboration
2. Partnership


UN women has an extensive network in the Pacific countries
 National Women associations are present in many countries,
implementing large programs at national / local levels
 Extensive local knowledge / partners
This could be a strong asset for
 Collecting information from the field during initial stages of
Emergency Information
 Support the operations at local level
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Thank You !
Dhanyavad !
Shukriya !
Vinaka !
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