WHO is a member of the Inter Agency Standing Committee and is the lead of the Global Health Cluster. Health Cluster Coordinators plays critical role in planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and coordinating with governments. The effectiveness of the cluster is dependent on the understanding of the cluster mechanism, processes and capacity among cluster coordinators, co-coordinators, partners, as well as the governments.
In the context of WHO South-East Asia Region, health clusters are currently operational in Bangladesh and Myanmar with protracted grade 2 emergencies. Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste are following the cluster approach to coordinate health response. To further build capacity, a workshop was organized for national participants, partners and WHO Country Offices in Health Cluster Coordination. Twenty-six participants from above mentioned countries participated in the workshop held in Bangkok during 23-26 April 2024. The workshop was facilitated by 8 experts from three levels of WHO and one external observer.
The workshop started with self-assessment followed by overview of the Health Cluster approach, humanitarian response planning, introduction to SIMEX and Calian platform. Presentation on PRSEAH was done to make all participants awareness of the issue and WHO’s zero tolerance policy. The SIMEX covered areas of disaster readiness planning. Establishment of national health cluster needs assessment and analysis followed by establishing Health Cluster at sub-national level and adjustment of needs assessment and strategic planning. SIMEX was also held on resource mobilization and planning for an outbreak response, implementation and monitoring of response followed by a mock full-scale Health Cluster meeting. Post SIMEX self-assessment, certification distribution and feedback were held on the last day.