National Context and Existing Structures

1. National Context and Existing Structures

2. National Context and Existing Structures Learning Objectives • Understand the importance of operating within the national context • Identify areas of interaction with governments and existing partnerships and coordinating structures • Identify associated challenges National Context and Existing Structures

3. National Context and Existing Structures • What? • ‘Internationally recognised or de facto government of a country in which a humanitarian operation is taking place • Legal/Regulatory • Laws, DM, DRR • Institutional • Line ministries • Response systems • Other actors exercising governmental authority • What? • Existing partners, coordination structures, humanitarian work plans, development plans, contingency plans • NGOs • UN agencies • Red Cross/ Red Crescent • Other actors • Other Clusters • HC/RC; OCHA • Sectoral working groups National and Local Authorities Partnerships and Coord. Structures Food Security Cluster

4. Food Security Cluster- TOR What does the FSC do? • Ensure predictable and accountable leadership • Represent the food security community in the different country level fora • Support coordination in assessment planning and response, strategy • Develop benchmarks and indicators • Advocacy for entire food security community, not just specific partners • Strengthen national/local systems • Ensure Quality of response, promotion of appropriate standards and delivery of services • Ensure shared understanding of early recovery • Learn and build upon best practices • Ensure partnership and inclusiveness Actions Coordinated Guidance for Coordination National Context andExistingStructures

5. National Context and Existing Structures

6. National Context and Existing Structures –National Authorities • Why? • “…the affected State has the primary role in the initiation, organization, coordination, and implementation of humanitarian assistance within its territory.’” National and Local Authorities How? • Represent • FS Community • Single point of contact • One-stop shop • Support Coordination • Joint activities • Gap analysis • Agree on technical standards and tools • Strengthen Systems/ Recovery • Technical training/ assistance • Disaster management • Exit Strategy • Ensure Partnership & Inclusiveness • Identify key gov’t entities • Manage expectations • Synch meetings; co-chair?

7. National Context and Existing Structures – Partnerships and Coordinating Structures • Why? • “…international humanitarian actors should organize themselves so as to buttress and strengthen existing structures and not create parallel structures that may undermine or weaken existing ones.” Partnerships and Coord. Structures How? • Represent • FS Community • De-confliction • One-stop shop • Support Coordination • Joint activities • Gap analysis • Humanitarian coordination structure • Strengthen Systems/ Recovery • Contingency plan tie-in • Disaster management • Exit Strategy • Development tie-in • Ensure Partnership & Inclusiveness • Identify key entities • Manage expectations

8. National Context and Existing Structures Challenges Unwilling/Unable Nat’l Authorities National and Local Authorities National and Local Authorities National and Local Authorities National and Local Authorities Partnerships and Coord. Structures Conflict Situations Food Security Cluster Existing vs. Clusters National Context and Existing Structures 12

9. National Context and Existing Structures Challenges • Existing vs. Clusters • Avoid replacement • “Cluster” Terminology not as important as principles • Accountability • CLA • Value Added! • Use HC as a resource • Remember FSC timeline National and Local Authorities Partnerships and Coord. Structures Food Security Cluster National Context and Existing Structures 13

10. National Context and Existing Structures Challenges National and Local Authorities • Conflict Situations • Humanitarian Principles • Humanity • Impartiality • Neutrality • Independence • Use HC for guidance National Context and Existing Structures 14

11. National Context and Existing Structures Challenges • Unwilling/Unable Nat’l Authorities • Find out why • Clarify misconceptions • Partnership vs. expert role • Arrange translations and maintain contact • Respect different approaches • Value Added! National and Local Authorities National and Local Authorities National Context and Existing Structures 15

12. National Context and Existing Structures Relevance Why is this subject covered? Cluster staff need to understand the unique national contexts in which they will be operating as well as existing humanitarian and related coordinating structures in order to improve response efficiency, address gaps, reduce duplication, and ensure a smooth post-cluster transition plan. How does this relate to my day to day tasks? Cluster staff routinely meet, coordinate (assessments, strategy, response planning, resource mobilization, etc.), and share information with national authorities and existing partners and coordination mechanisms. National Context and Existing Structures

13. National Context and Existing Structures