About FSC

Working in Partnership

The Food Security Cluster is about enhancing cooperation and partnerships. The FSC works directly with its partners and stakeholders that include international NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, other cluster lead agencies, UN organizations, Governments and Donors. The FSC was formally endorsed by the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) on the 15 December 2010.

Global Coordination for Enhanced Food Security

The Food Security Cluster (FSC) has been established to coordinate the food response during a humanitarian  crisis, addressing issues of food availability, access and utilisation.

The Cluster is based at WFP headquarters in Rome and is co-led by FAO and WFP. The Global Support Team includes FAO, WFP, NGO and Red Cross and Red Crescent members.

Operating in Major Emergencies

The Food Security Cluster (FSC) is committed to saving lives through the coordination of the food response in major emergencies.

Effective coordination is only possible through close cooperation with partner organizations. The FSC provides the guidance at the country level that supports a broad base and timely response.

The FSC works with national and regional cluster systems in both sudden onset disasters, be they from natural or human causes, and long-running crises

Priority Areas of the FSC

Short-term surge support

The FSC deploys trained Cluster Coordinators and Information Management Officers to ensure:

  • Adequate staff to coordinate the emergency response
  • Support for assessments
  • Information management and collection
  • Assistance for preparation of Flash Appeals, CAPs, ERF and CERF proposals

Tools and guidance

The FSC identifies best practices and incorporates them into standard operating procedures and formal  guidelines. It supports standards and procedures that ensure a high and consistent level of response. Identified gaps are addressed with partners and specialists.

Training and capacity development

The FSC develops and conducts training and orientation for all staff deployed to enhance performance. The FSC provides technical support training to countryled teams in assessment methodology, monitoring, proposal writing, food security concepts and programme design.

Information management support

The FSC develops information management tools including:

  • Website (foodsecuritycluster.net)
  • Information management templates for partner project monitoring
  • Country wide program and project information 
  • Databases incorporating a general overview of active, country based food security cluster

Advocacy

The FSC develops a common advocacy message with its partners on the needs and outputs of country led cluster operations