About Us
Logistics Cluster Mandate
The Cluster Approach brings together humanitarian organisations, UN agencies, NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and other stakeholders, to jointly identify needs, develop strategic plans, and coordinate actions. The Logistics Cluster is part of the Cluster system that was established by the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC). Due to its expertise in the field of humanitarian logistics, the IASC has designated the World Food Programme (WFP) as the Logistics Cluster global lead agency. As such, WFP hosts the Logistics Cluster Team in its headquarters in Rome.
Core Services At Country Level
Coordination
The primary objective of humanitarian action, and the purpose of coordination, is to meet the needs of affected people by means that are reliable, effective, inclusive, and respect humanitarian principles. The Logistics Cluster is part of the IASC cluster system that was created to ensure proper coordination and information management to deliver more efficient and predictable responses. This primarily takes place through open meetings organised by the country Logistics Cluster team that may occur on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis depending on the context and need. The Logistics Cluster is inclusive. Any organisation delivering aid according to humanitarian principles is welcome to participate in the meetings, use available common logistics services, contribute to information sharing and access digital and other tools and resources or training available through the Logistics Cluster.
Information Management
The Logistics Cluster provides information management support in sudden-onset emergencies, conflicts, and complex and protected crises. Country-based IM officers (IMOs) are responsible for collecting, analysing, and disseminating logistics information in field operations. Global Logistics Cluster IMOs serve as the communications link between field operations and the global humanitarian community. The Global Logistics Cluster IMOs support operations in the provision of guidance to country-based IMOs (as compiled in the Information Management Guide), and deploy as surge capacity staff members at the onset of an emergency filling the position of field IM Officer when needed. All IMOs align their products to standardized terms and principles.
Information Management (IM) Guide
Access to Common Logistics Services
Logistics services such as warehousing and cargo transport may be made available to humanitarian organizations by the Logistics Cluster on a free-to-user or cost-recovery basis, for a limited duration only. Other context-specific services may be considered, subject to available resources. Commodity movements are prioritized in line with assistance priorities identified by the humanitarian community in country. Please consult the following services portfolio for additional information.
Check our Service Catalogue