The Pulse of Humanitarian Coordination 2024

Cluster coordination at national level

Cluster coordinator capacity

In 2024, and prior to the drastic funding shortfalls of 2025, the global average for dedicated cluster coordinator capacity declined to 64 per cent, from 71 per cent in 2023 . Global clusters estimate even further reductions beyond June 2025.

Dedicated cluster coordination capacity decreased across the majority of IASC operations in 2024:

  • No operation reported 100 per cent dedicated cluster capacity in 2024: the two countries previously reporting 100 per cent dropped to 90 per cent (Myanmar) and 75 per cent (Ukraine). Myanmar was the only operation with 90 per cent dedicated cluster coordination capacity in 2024, marking a decrease from 2023 when six operations reported capacities at 90 per cent or above.
  • Only seven operations increased their cluster coordination capacity between 2023 and 2024: Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Syria-Damascus, Central African Republic, Haiti, and Cameroon. Meanwhile, Colombia (50%), oPt (77%), and Mozambique (55%) maintained similar capacity levels in both years. In the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) dedicated cluster capacity was reported as 77 per cent.
  • Six operations reported dedicated capacity at or below 50 per cent, up from five operations in 2023. The countries reporting 50 per cent capacity in both years were Colombia, Haiti, Cameroon, Madagascar, and Niger, while Somalia was newly added in 2024 (dropping from 69% to 50%). Niger experienced the most significant decline, dropping from 44 per cent in 2023 to just 10 per cent in 2024. While Haiti and Cameroon had capacity levels between 40 per cent and 50 per cent in 2024, it should be noted that Haiti’s dedicated capacity rose by 20 percentage points in 2024 (from 25% to 45%).
  • The most significant drops in dedicated capacity were observed in South Sudan (27% drop), Ukraine (25% drop), Syria-Gaziantep (23% drop), Somalia (19% drop), and Venezuela (20% drop).

Dedicated cluster capacity among the three IASC System-Wide Scale-Ups operations for 2024 varies (Sudan, Lebanon and Syria-Damascus).

  • In 2024, dedicated cluster capacity increased by 15 per cent in Syria-Damascus (54% to 69%) and Sudan 77% to 92%, respectively). In Lebanon, two clusters were activated during the IASC scale up, one of which participated in the survey and reported fully dedicated capacity (Food Security).
  • For the six other operations that were IASC System-Wide Scale-Ups in 2023, dedicated cluster capacity following IASC scale up deactivation reduced in 2024 to: 73 per cent (Afghanistan), 77 per cent (the DRC), per cent (Somalia), and 75 per cent (Ukraine). Haiti increased to 45 per cent and Ethiopia increased by 1 per cent to 86 per cent.

Cluster capacity in information management

In 2024, the global average for dedicated information management within clusters declined to 50 per cent, down from 52 percent in 2023. This downward trend signals a concerning erosion of information management capacity, which is critical for evidence-based decision-making, coordination efficiency, and accountability in humanitarian response.

Nine per cent of clusters reported having no information management capacity in 2024, a significant decrease from 2023 levels (16%). However, this gap in numbers may be due to a large increase in failed responses (16%).

In 2024, dedicated IM capacity declined in thirteen operations, while only six reported increases to varying degrees. The most notable improvements were observed in Syria-Damascus), where capacity rose from 23 per cent to 54 per cent; Chad, which increased from 11 per cent to 56 per cent; and CAR, which saw an increase from 36 per cent to 58 per cent. On the other hand, several operations experienced significant reductions, including Ukraine (from 91% to 67%), Syria-Gaziantep (from 92% to 62%), Somalia (from 85% to 42%), and Venezuela (from 40% to 20%). These reductions reflect broader trends of declining dedicated cluster coordination capacity in these contexts.

Madagascar and Cameroon reported no dedicated IM capacity in 2024, down from 25 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively. Meanwhile, Nigeria (38%), Colombia (30%), oPt (85%), and Mozambique (36%) maintained their 2023 levels.

Cluster leadership

There were modest adjustments in cluster leadership, including lead, co-lead, and co-chair positions in 2024. In addition to leads or co-leads, 52 per cent of clusters and AoRs had a co-chair, compared to 55 in 2023. In 2024, UN entities accounted for 53 per cent of leadership roles, followed by INGOs (25%), government authorities (12%), L/NNGOs (7%), and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement (1%). The most significant changes between 2023 and 2024 were the 2 per cent increase in NNGO cluster leadership, alongside a 3 per cent decrease in leadership from government authorities.

At the national level, cluster leadership roles aligned with the global Cluster Lead Agency (CLA) arrangements established by the IASC in 95 per cent of operations . In the other 5 per cent of operations, tailored leadership arrangements were in place.

Cluster membership

In 2024, clusters coordinated just over 19,000 humanitarian partners organizations globally, slightly down from 20,006 in 2023. Consistent with previous years, 77 per cent were NGOs (both national and international). NNGOs remained the largest group of humanitarian partners involved in cluster coordination, representing 47 of all partners. The Red Cross/Red Crescent and donors’ organizations maintained stable representation comprising 3 per cent and 5 per cent of the total respectively. Participation across other groups, declined: INGOs, which held 30 per cent of cluster seats in 2024 (32% in 2023), saw their membership drop from 6,335 to 5,657 mainly in Mali (−254), Ukraine (−165), and Central African Republic (−154). UN membership also decreased in number from 1,477 to 1,240 members, mainly in Afghanistan (−59), Mozambique (−48), and South Sudan (−32). Similarly, participation from local/national authorities declined from 1,088 members to 838 members. The total number of other partners involved in clusters (academia, international financial institutions, private sector and others) increased globally from 656 to 957.

The operations with the fewest INGO cluster members were Madagascar (45), and Cameroon (80). In contrast, the largest INGO constituencies were found in Ethiopia (557), Ukraine (466), and oPt (463). On the UN side, Niger (21) and Madagascar (24) and Somalia (29) hosted the lowest number of UN cluster members globally.

Cluster responsibilities

In 2024, clusters demonstrated stronger strategic planning and documentation. The adoption of strategies by clusters rose to 85 per cent, marking an increase from 79 per cent in 2023. Similarly, the proportion of clusters with terms of reference also increased from 88 per cent in 2023 to 93 per cent in 2024. Cluster Coordination Performance Monitoring (CCPM) remained at 64 per cent and the proportion of cluster Terms of Reference updated within the last three years stayed at 74 per cent. However, the proportion of clusters with transition plans, remained low at 17 per cent.

Cluster subgroups

Strategic Advisory Groups (SAGs)

The SAGs provide strategic direction, set priorities, and shape the operational focus of the clusters and in 2024, 66 per cent of clusters had established them (up from 60 per cent in 2023). International NGOs constituted 31 per cent of SAG members, down slightly from 32 per cent in 2022 and 2023. NNGOs represented 27 per cent of SAG members, showing an increase from 2023 (24%). Overall, the percentage of SAGs that included NNGOs increased slightly to 86 per cent, although lower than its 2022 peak of 95 per cent. Meanwhile, UN entities comprised 25 per cent of SAG membership while government entities made up 7 per cent, both slightly decreased from 2023 levels (27% and 9%, respectively). The Red Cross/Red Crescent maintained 2023 levels at 3 per cent, while donors increased slightly from 2 per cent to 4 per cent. The SAGs continue to demonstrate some of the most diverse proportional representation of the humanitarian coordination architecture, particularly reflected in the high share of NGO participation (58 per cent for SAGs as compared to 34 per cent for HCTs). This highlights the inclusive, multi-stakeholder natures of SAGs and their potential to foster collaborative, context-responsive humanitarian action.

Technical Working Groups (TWGs)

In 2024, 74 percent of clusters maintained TWGs, up slightly from 70 percent in 2023. However, the total number of TWGs declined to 452, continuing a downward trend since 2020 (531). Operations in Syria-Gaziantep (45), oPt (30), and South Sudan (29) hosted the largest number of TWGs. Across clusters, Health (76), Nutrition (68), WASH (46), and Food Security (42) had the most TWGs. These groups typically support specific thematic or operational areas –such as Assessment and Analysis, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Case Management, Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA). The number of TWGs are expected to be much lower in 2025, in line with the ambition of the Humanitarian Reset to streamline coordination

UN entities accounted for the majority (49%) of TWG chairs and co-chairs, a slight decrease from 51 per cent in 2023. INGOs represented 25 per cent in 2024, a minor decrease from 26 per cent in 2023. NNGOs accounted for 11 per cent, up from 8 per cent in 2023, while government entities made up 10 per cent (down from 12%).

References

  1. Out of 271 clusters, 222 provided responses, globally.
  2. Global Cluster Coordinators were requested in June and August 2025 to provide projections beyond July 2025 up to January 2026, based on what was known to them at the time.
  3. Only 2024 cluster data for oPt is displayed, as in 2023 and previous years it was excluded from the cluster analysis due to insufficient responses, largely a result of the escalation of hostilities that disrupted cluster operations. Despite the continuing conflict, the 2024 survey saw full participation, allowing for meaningful inclusion in the analysis for the first time.
  4. Out of the two activated clusters (FSAC and Logistics) in Lebanon, one (FSAC) participated in the survey.
  5. National cluster leadership arrangements were considered to be ‘aligned’ with global Cluster Lead Agency arrangements in instances where at least one of the global Cluster Lead Agencies led the cluster (e.g. UNICEF and/or Save the Children for Education, UNHCR and/or OHCHR for Protection, and FAO and/or WFP for Food Security).