Cross Cutting Thematic Areas

Climate Crisis and Humanitarian Coordination

UNICEF supports clusters in their climate adaptation efforts. Leading sectors, includes supporting partners on climate leadership. The Guidance - Climate Crisis and Humanitarian Coordination was developed by UNICEF-led and co-led global clusters to support these efforts. The full guide is available here and in this section you will find all supporting resources.  

Guidance: Climate Crisis and Humanitarian Coordination

Sectoral Toolkits on Climate Integration (shared by clusters)

• Bangladesh WASH Cluster Climate Change Working Group Presentation
• Climate Change and Emergency Education Entry Points and Funding Options
• Climate Change Concepts for EiE – Terminology Framework (v3.0)
• GEC Climate Roadmap
• Leveraging Education Coordination for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
• Mainstreaming Climate Action Across the Nexus
• UNICEF Anticipatory Action Framework (June 2023)

NEW 2025 Tools on Climate in Humanitarian Coordination

• Information Sheet – Trusted National & Regional Sources for Climate Forecasting, Early Warning, and Local Actors
• Checklist – How to Incorporate Climate Risks into the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC)
• Tipsheet – Climate Change Mitigation in Humanitarian Work (for Coordinators)
• Climate Crisis – Basic Information
• Glossary – Climate Terms for Cluster Coordinators
• Guidance on Anticipatory Climate Action & Climate Adaptation Actions
• Tipsheet – Climate Crisis Advocacy
• Tipsheet – Resource Mobilisation
• Unpack & Climate Adaptation

Latest Case Study

In Somalia, years of recurrent droughts and floods have amplified existing vulnerabilities, contributing to significant displacement. Climate-related coordination among clusters primarily occurs through informal mechanisms and bilateral collaborations rather than structured inter-cluster frameworks.

Since late 2024, OCHA has strengthened support for priority clusters (WASH, Nutrition, Food Security, Shelter) by appointing a Mogadishu-based climate change specialist to guide indicators, facilitate climate-informed discussions, and develop a comprehensive climate crisis roadmap.

👉 Download the full case study: Challenges and Opportunities of Inter-Cluster Coordination – Somalia’s Experience 

Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP)

Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) is about using power and resources ethically and responsibly. It’s about putting the needs and interests of the people and communities organisations serve at the centre of decision-making, and ensuring the most appropriate and relevant outcomes for them, while preserving their rights and dignity and increasing their resilience to face situations of vulnerability and crisis.

Gender Based Violence (GBV) Risk Mitigation

UNICEF implements concrete measures to reduce GBV risk across all its programmatic sectors and clusters.  GBV risk mitigation refers to interventions undertaken within other (non-GBV) humanitarian sectors to help ensure programming is as safe and accessible as possible, notably for women and girls.

Sectoral Toolkits on GBV Risk Mitigation integration into the HPC:

• WASH Toolkit for GBV Risk Mitigation in HPC
• Nutrition Toolkit for GBV Risk Mitigation in HPC
• Education Toolkit for GBV Risk Mitigation in HPC
• Child Protection Toolkit for GBV Risk Mitigation HPC

Disability

Children and adults with disabilities are among the most marginalized people in any community affected by crisis. Exacerbating this situation, they often are excluded from humanitarian assistance. Programmes and services set up to help people deal with and recover from the crisis can be designed to include children with disabilities from the outset.

UNICEF has developed guidance to help make sure that children and adolescents with disabilities are included in all stages of humanitarian action – from preparing for emergencies to recovering from them.

Localisation

Local humanitarian actors are usually the first to respond when disasters strike and often have access to areas that international actors do not. Their presence within communities before, during, and after crises means they are generally best placed to link immediate response efforts to longer term resilience-building, preparedness and recovery. Their knowledge may also increase chances of successful and context sensitive responses.

Cash & Voucher Assistance

Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) is a programme delivery modality that can be used whenever economic vulnerability needs to be addressed, multi-sectorally or in sectors. CVA is a demand-side intervention allowing individuals, households and communities to access basic goods and services. CVA is an alternative to goods distribution or to free access to services, and they all aim to achieve similar outcomes.