1. Management and Representational Responsibilities
1.1 Coordination Mechanisms
The international community formally adopted the cluster approach in 2005 to address chronic and
grave failures associated with international humanitarian aid. These include fragmented responses,
duplication of efforts, and insufficient engagement with government and national actors. Although
initiated by the UN, the cluster approach aims to better coordinate all international actors through
strong partnership, predictable leadership and more efficient response mechanisms. It also aims to
work better with government counterparts and local actors (Handbook p. 8).
KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR PUTTING IN PLACE APPROPRIATE COORDINATION
1. LINKING THE CLUSTER WITH PRE-EXISTING STRUCTURES
1. Is there currently a child protection coordination forum? IF NOT: Within the first 48 hours of the
onset of the emergency, call a meeting of key agencies working in child protection.
2. Can this group meet the needs of coordinating the emergency response? IF NOT: Work with this
group and other key stakeholders to establish a child protection sub-cluster to coordinate
humanitarian action during the emergency.
3. Ensure that the Cluster group has clear ToR and a defined relationship with current child
protection coordination fora.
4. Are all child protection stakeholders involved?
5. The group may need to be expanded to meet coordination needs in the emergency.
6. Liaise with appropriate government agency.
2. LINKING CHILD PROTECTION ACTORS WITH THE PROTECTION CLUSTER
1. Is there currently child protection representation with the Protection Cluster? IF NOT: Within the
child protection group agree on representation for protection
2. Child protection representatives have a responsibility to:
a. Ensure that issues discussed in the Protection Cluster take into account the special needs of
children.
b. Act as an advocate for children, to ensure that all decisions reached are in the best interests of the
child.
c. Ensure that children remain on the protection agenda. Information should be provided to the
broader protection group on a regular basis.
3. It is essential that the lead child protection agency maintain regular contact with the chair of the
Protection Cluster.
4. Child protection representatives should be involved, alongside protection colleagues, with
broader protection and human rights initiatives and developments, to ensure that the best interests
of the child are highlighted.
3. INVOLVING THE GOVERNMENT COUNTERPARTS IN CLUSTER WORK where appropriate
1. Does the Government coordinate a child protection forum? IF NOT: Within first 48 hours of the
onset of the emergency, approach the relevant government authority to discuss coordination
mechanisms for child protection. Obtain government support to establish child protection
coordination. (Ideally this will be in place prior to any emergency).
POSSIBLE CHILD PROTECTION COORDINATION STRUCTURES IN CLUSTERISED COUNTRIES
2. Does this government-led forum intend to coordinate humanitarian response in respect of child
protection? IF NOT: Establish a coordination mechanism as in section 1 above. IF NOT: Encourage
government participation in the Cluster group where appropriate. IF NOT: Ensure government
authorities are consulted and kept informed where they are not members of the group.
3. Are child protection stakeholders fully represented?
4. Where necessary advocate with the government to expand the group to other stakeholders to
meet the needs of coordination in the emergency.
5. Depending on the context and nature of the emergency, it may be appropriate for international
agencies, INGOs and NGOs to have additional meetings with the government-led forum, to avoid
duplication and respond to gaps in service provision. (Handbook p 31-32)
To avoid working in silos, duplicating work and to strengthen local capacity, it is important to build
upon existing coordination structures in-country when establishing a CP Sub-Cluster. In doing so,
however, it is important to ensure that these structures are able to embody an emergency approach
reflecting a sense of urgency and emergency priorities which might be slightly different to
development ones. (Learning from Afghanistan) (Lesson learned p.2)
Although various models exist for the structure of CP Sub-Clusters, what has been identified across
the board is that the more clearly identifiable the CP structure is, in terms of objectives, set-up and
terms of reference, and the clearer the links to other Clusters are, the more likely the Child
Protection response will be complementary to the overall Protection response. (Learning from 2008
Inter-agency Review of CP Coordination)