The ‘Cluster Approach’ was adopted by the interagency standing committee as a key strategy to establish coordination and cooperation among humanitarian actors to achieve more coherent and effective humanitarian response. At the country level, the aim is to establish clear leadership and accountability for international response in each sector and to provide a framework for effective partnership and to facilitate strong linkages among international organization, national authorities, national civil society and other stakeholders. The cluster is meant to strengthen rather than to replace the existing coordination structure. In September 2005, The Inter Agency Steering Committee (IASC) Principals agreed to designate global Cluster Lead Agencies (CLA) in critical program and operational areas. UNICEF was designated as the Global Nutrition Cluster Lead Agency (CLA).
The cross-border assistance from Turkey into Syria was established in 2013 and it is part of the Whole of Syria approach that brings together humanitarian actors working from inside Syria and neighboring countries aiming at increasing the effectiveness of the response. The coordination system for Turkey-based agencies currently consists of the Humanitarian Liaison Group (HLG), Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG), Clusters and other coordination forums. The cross-border assistance from Turkey into Syria is provided by the United Nations and a large number of international, Syrian and Turkish NGOs.
NWS Nutrition Cluster is one of the 3 hubs under the Whole of Syria coordination system, The NWS Nutrition Cluster was co-lead by Physicians Across Continents for 8 years (2016-2023). PAC supported the Nutrition cluster (NC) with two co-leading positions: NC Co-coordinator and NC Information Management Officer, which serves towards supporting the cluster in adhering to its core functions.
PAC through its NC Co-leads worked to improve the nutrition status of emergency affected populations by ensuring an appropriate response that is predictable, timely, and effective and at scale.
The primary purpose of the Nutrition Cluster is to support and strengthen a coordinated multi-sectoral approach in nutrition strategic planning, situation analysis and response both in emergencies and non- emergency situations. This necessitates developing and enhancing coordination structures, appropriate nutrition guidelines /policies and strategies that meet acceptable minimum standards within different and ever-evolving contexts in NWS.
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