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SESSION 6: CLUSTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLAN 

 
Cluster 
 

WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)  (Noting the overlap with health) 

 
Lead Agency 
(If sub-cluster groups exists, 
name here with a focal point 
agency) 

UNICEF – acknowledging the need to delegate (operational) leadership authority on a 
case-by-case basis when it is apparent that UNICEF is not best equipped to lead the 
response.   

Cluster Members 

UNICEF, Oxfam, WHO, SOPAC, ADRA,  
IFRC, French Red Cross, World Vision, Save the Children, Pacific Water Waste 
Association, Water Industry Operations Group of New Zealand, Water Industry 
Operators Group of Australia, RedR, EU, ECHO, NZAID, AusAID, WASH Coalition, 
JICA 

Role of lead and member 
agencies 
 

PREPAREDNESS: 
RESPONSE: 
CLUSTER COORDINATION/COORDINATION WITH NATIONAL AUTHORITIES: 
NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS: 
APPLICATION OF STANDARDS: 
TRAINING/CAPACITY BUILDING: 
MAINSTREAMING CROSS CUTTING ISSUES: 
 
 
 

Intra Cluster 
Coordination/Communication 
Structure/Working 
Arrangement 

1.  Produce a communications plan/schedule with agendas for regular coordination 

meetings by teleconference etc. 

2.  Create a central document repository on PDN for cluster related documents 
3.  Use wash coalition communication to inform cluster members of partner activities 
4.  Use other forums such as the Pacific Partnership Meeting to create opportunities 

to meet on cluster related issues 

5.  Coordinated list of prepositioned supplies (link with logistics) 
6.  During response – according to traditional response coordination mechanisms 

 

2

7.  Central roster of working arrangements so we can see when there might be 

staffing  shortages 

Linkage with national level 
non-government actors 
(national NGOs etc) and how to 
roll out country level cluster 
 

1.  A mapping of who the players are in each country and how to contact them.  

Starting point is the wash coalition with inputs from other cluster members.   

2. Encourage dialogue 
3.  Share simple SOPs with these members for their consideration 

What is the threshold to 
officially activate cluster 
globally and make linkage with 
the global IASC? 

When national and regional capacity to respond to the disaster is exceeded.  (Who 
decides this?) 

Minimum Preparedness 
Activities 

Activities Responsible 

Agencies 

Timeframe 

 
 

Develop a cluster TOR 

All members 

 

 
 

Standardised assessment 

All members 

 

 
 

Collection of baseline data 

All members 

 

 
 

Signposting for information 

Cluster lead 

 

 
 

Collection of NDMO and Ministry response plans and 
some kind of analysis 

In-country 
members/cluster 
lead 

 

 
 

Explaining, and consulting, with government on 
Cluster system and response plans.   

In-country 
members/cluster 
lead 

 

 

Identify funding/resources 

All members 

 

 

Develop a communications plan and an action plan 

DAVE! 

 

 

 

 

 

Response Activities 
-including Operational Protocol 

Activities Responsible 

Agencies 

Timeframe 

 

3

(SOPs) during emergency 
 
 

This part should give the list of actions to be taken 
when disaster occurs as a cluster. This will include 
step by step procedure (SOPs).  

 

 

 
 

Cluster lead initiates contact with cluster (especially 
those in country) and government counterparts 

Cluster lead 

 

 
 

Sharing initial situation reports, contact lists, and 
cluster TOR 

Cluster lead 

 

 
 

Standby for feedback from Government