Nutrition ClusterProgress Report

IASC Working Group Meeting

Geneva

21-22 November 2005

Nutrition Cluster Progress Report

Executive Summary

1. Participation

• 5 telecons since September 12th

• 10 actively participating UN and Non UN agencies globally; 36 in Pakistan• Recognized need for more NGO participation. Clarity of accountabilities and

expected roles of different partners likely to increase participation

2. Five strategic recommendations to leverage the Cluster Approach for an effective humanitarian response in Nutrition

• The critical role that Nutrition plays in child survival must be better reflected inter-sectorally

• The cluster approach must be country led, with the ultimate objective of building government capacity to effectively respond to crises.

• Funding is important for acute emergencies, but mechanisms are also needed to leverage results and resources for countries that are in perpetual states of nutrition crises

• An accountable response requires clarity on how accountabilities will be measured.

• While there is room for improved efficiency, we cannot expect increased action without increased resources for the cluster

IASC Nutrition Progress Report

Capacity Assessment

1. Initial capacity assessment presented in August 22 Cluster Report

2. Existing capacity recognized within individual agencies and working groups in emergency nutrition. We must build on the wealth of information and work that has been done to date

3. Main gaps exist in the following areas:– Sector Coordination– Assessment, monitoring and surveillance– Emergency preparedness and response triggers– Staffing and surge capacity– Norms and policies (including agreed standard guidelines/protocols)

4. Next Steps: 1. Comprehensive capacity assessment using matrix provided by OCHA: Priority

Activity (pending resources)2. Endorse standard benchmarks for emergency nutrition by which capacity can be

measured against3. Finalize workplan to address identified gaps by 12 December4. Finalize cost required to achieve workplan activities

1. Estimated cost of providing a minimum package of nutrition interventions to a crisis affected population of 4 million people, of which there are :

– 600,000 children under 5– 200,000 pregnant and lactating women– $5.7 million for 3 months for one emergency– $17.1 million for 3 months for 3 emergencies– $3.16 per capita per month (based on 600,000 children)

2. This can be further reduced with effective synergy and collaboration with Health, and Water and Sanitation to reduce individual transaction costs and streamline assessment, surveillance, delivery mechanisms, etc.

3. We would also like to submit a costing for a chronic emergency scenario

IASC Nutrition Progress Report

Costing

IASC Nutrition Progress Report

Outstanding Nutrition Cluster Issues

1. Cluster name change and implications: Cluster name has been changed from “Nutrition and Feeding” to “Nutrition.” Further clarity is requested on what the anticipated expectations of this name change were. In light of the name change, we are amidst discussions about whether or not food security and supplementary feeding should remain within the scope of the Cluster.

2. Clusters at global/country level: In Pakistan, we have a combining/addition of Food into the Nutrition Cluster to form a Food and Nutrition Cluster. Increased clarity is needed on the balance to strike between agreed upon global Clusters and the autonomy/decentralization of Country Teams to determine an individualized response mechanism that is appropriate to their needs.