Iasc cluster approach evaluation, 2nd phase april 2010

Executive Summary
Introduction
Method
Background
Findings
Conclusions
Recommendations

---

32
Low (perception) of global 
support
No proactive dissemination
Staff turn-over problems
Good practice: 
No staff rotation after 
emergency in Haiti
Self-assessment tool for 
logistics coordinators in Haiti
Global support not relevant
  4.3 Little perceived support by global clusters
28
 
 Global clusters are meant to support the work of national and sub-national clusters 
for example by providing surge capacity specialized in coordination, by developing 
technical guidelines and tools and by pre-positioning supplies (see Annex 1 for a 
selection of support products). Clusters have raised over $ 57 million through two 
global cluster appeals to finance support activities. Individual clusters obtained 
very different levels of funding (see box 3). Gender is the only cross-cutting issue 
included in the global cluster appeals.
29
   The  evaluation  team  found  evidence  that  global  clusters  provide  more  support  than  is 
acknowledged on the ground. However, support of response clusters in the case study countries 
is low, especially at sub-national level. 
30
   Reasons for the low perception of global 
support include: 
26
 
•
   National  and  sub-national  clusters 
do not know what is on offer because 
global  clusters  do  not  proactively 
disseminate  their  support  tools. 
Cases  like  the  latest  Health  Cluster 
coordinator  in  Myanmar  or  the 
Early  Recovery  Cluster  coordinator 
in  the  oPt,  who  emphasized  the 
crucial  support  they  received  from 
the  global  level,  are  the  exception 
rather than the rule. 
 
•
   Due to high staff turn-over (which can 
be related to funding problems) and 
problems of knowledge management, 
clusters  and  their  coordinators  are 
not  aware  of  support  that  has  been 
provided  earlier  on.  Thus,  when 
coordinators leave the country, they 
often take manuals and information stored on computers with them. 
 
•
   Especially  in  countries  where  the  cluster  approach  was  implemented  early 
on, such as Uganda, DRC and Myanmar, global support is perceived as little  
 
 
26  Not all funds committed through the global appeals can be clearly allocated to individual clusters.