The Health Cluster is a vital operational partnership network that galvanizes the collective capacities of over 900 partners at country level, of which 56 engage strategically at the global level, to achieve better health outcomes in humanitarian and public health emergencies. In 2019, there were 29 Health Clusters/Sectors, of which were regional coordination mechanisms working to meet the health needs of approximately 65 million people worldwide. WHO is the IASC designated Cluster Lead Agency and provides coordination and secretariat support.
As part of Strategic Priority 1 of the GHC Strategy 2017-2019, the Health Cluster Partners’ Capacity Survey aims to capture information on partners’ technical, operational and coordination capacities, including surge. A survey of international partners’ capacity was previously undertaken between July and August 2018. This report – which focuses on national partners – represents the second phase. As part of this exercise, the National Partners’ Capacity Survey was conducted between April and May 2019. For the first time ever, this survey targeted national partners and, in particular, national non-governmental organizations, local non-governmental organizations3 and National Red Cross / Red Crescent Societies, that are recognized as first responders in emergencies with public health consequences.