CAR: Cluster Simplification: Interim update to country operations (5 September 2025)

Country: Central African Republic Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached file. 1. Purpose The purpose of this update is to inform HCs and HCTs about decisions taken to date regarding cluster simplification, with a focus on decisions regarding integration of clusters and implications for the 2026 Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC). It is acknowledged that there will be a transition phase for some of these adjustments to take full effect at country level. Decisions on lead accountabilities for integrated global clusters specifically are expected to be communicated by early October 2025. Other critical dimensions of cluster simplification, including greater integration and support to area-based coordination, will continue to be worked on globally beyond October 2025, in close coordination with operations. 2. Decisions to date In March 2025 and as part of the wider Humanitarian Reset, the ERC asked the Co-Chairs of the IASC Operational Policy and Advocacy Group (OPAG) for recommendations on simplifying the cluster system. Following a consultative process at both global and local level, the following was agreed, in addition to other recommendations: At global level: Global cluster structures will be reduced from 11 clusters and 4 Areas of Responsibility (AoR) to 8, as follows:  Joint CCCM, Shelter and HLP Cluster (Shelter/NFI, Camp Coordination and Camp Management, and Housing, Land and Property AoR to integrate, with final cluster reference to be determined);  Protection Cluster (with Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Mine Action (MA) and Child Protection (CP) AoRs fully integrated);  Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster (Emergency Telecommunications + Logistics to integrate);  the Global Cluster for Early Recovery will transform into a mechanism that supports transition and linkages with the development system;  five global clusters (Education, Food Security, Health, Nutrition, and WASH) remain as are for the moment.