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Emergency Telecommunications Cluster

This section provides a description of the Emergency Telecommunication Cluster (ETC) structure, mechanisms and services. It is intended for humanitarian agencies, their partners and donors who wish to understand the way the ETC operates, the services it can provide in humanitarian crises and how to apply for them. In particular, it focuses on the role and services provided by the World Food Programme, the provider of last resort for emergency security telecommunications in support of humanitarian workers’ safety and security.

 

 

Background

In September 2005, as part of the wider Humanitarian Reform in strengthening the international responses to humanitarian crises, the Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) agreed to establish "global" cluster leads - specifically for humanitarian emergencies - in nine areas of activity including the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC).

They generally welcomed the "cluster approach" as a mechanism that can help to address identified gaps in response and enhance the quality of humanitarian action. It is part of a wider reform process aimed at improving the effectiveness of humanitarian response by ensuring greater predictability and accountability, while at the same time strengthening partnerships between NGOs, international organizations, the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement and UN agencies.

 

 

 Sector or Area of Activity

Technical areas:

  • Nutrition
  • Health
  • Water/Sanitation
  • Emergency Shelter:
    • IDPs (from conflict)
    • Disaster situations
  • Agriculture

Cross-cutting areas:

  • Camp Coord/Management:
    • IDPs (from conflict)
    • Disaster situations
  • Protection:
    • IDPs (from conflict)
    • Disasters/civilians affected by conflict (other than IDPs)
  • Early Recovery

Common service areas:                                                 

  • Logistics
  • Emergency Telecommunications

 Global Cluster Lead

 

  • UNICEF
  • WHO
  • UNICEF
  • <-->
    • UNHCR
    • IFRC (Convener)*
  • FAO

 

  • <-->
    • UNHCR
    • IOM
  • <-->
    • UNHCR
    • UNHCR/OHCHR/UNICEF
  • UNDP

 

 

  • WFP
  • OCHA/UNICEF/WFP

 

The Emergency Telecommunication Cluster (ETC) was set up with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) serving as chair and process owner, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) serving as the common data communications service provider and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) serving as the common security telecommunications service provider.