Health Cluster Meeting

1. Health Cluster Meeting Transition from Cluster to Sector Coordination 10 September 2013

2. Introduction • Future of cluster system subject of discussion towards end of 2012 • HCT and ICF Meetings requested clusters to discuss: • Transition from humanitarian phase to recovery/development • Coordination • Humanitarian appeal for 2013 • Future of the Clusters • Health Cluster discussed this in meeting of 11 Sept 2012 and agreed on a broader health sector coordination mechanism led by MoHCW • Decision later made by HCT to retain health, WASH, protection and food as clusters and discontinue others, convert them into working groups or merge them with remaining clusters

3. Introduction…. • Sept 11 2012 Health Cluster discussion had raised the following issues: • There will be need for a balance between humanitarian and development issues to be struck in the work of the health sector working group • It might be better to have the health sector working group being co-led (and co-chaired) by MoHCW and WHO at the beginning before ministry assumes full control • EDC Dept. to be the entry/coordination point. However consultations with the P.S. will have to be made in this regard • Meeting noted that humanitarian actors and interventions were there even before the cluster system was introduced in Zimbabwe and this is likely to continue e.g. the MSFs and Red Cross partners • Is government ready to take over this responsibility?

4. Consultations in 2013 to discuss future of clusters • Many discussions in ICF and HCT • Health Cluster SWG meeting of 27 Aug 2013: • To revisit subject of coordination as the cluster system is likely to cease end of 2013 • To respond and address requests from the HCT and ICF • Health cluster SWG and OCHA, 28 Aug 2013

5. Coordination after the Health Cluster • SWG of 27 Aug 2013 felt much the same as in 2012 • Suggested a health sector working group chaired by the MoHCW. • Broader areas and mandate • Operationalization of the NHEOC to provide surge capacity • To tackle both humanitarian and development issues • Re- establish the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee on Health (IACCH) chaired by EDC Director as starting point for such coordination. Need for TORs • Need for linkages with current coordination mechanisms such as CCM, ZUNDAF and HTF – should the IACCH be coordinated at Principal Directorate Level to cater for such linkages?

6. SWG Consultation with OCHA • Residual humanitarian needs: • Outbreaks of water borne diseases • Early warning and early action important • National EPR Capacities • NHEOC remains inoperational; need for its funding and capacity building • EHA and other partners providing field EPR capacities but continued funding a challenge • Linkages with recovery and development partners • Currently no inclusive health coordination body covering entire health sector • In the short term proposal is to re-establish IACCH chaired by director EDC • Over time the IACCH would be chaired by PDPPME to ensure stronger link with mechanisms such as CCM, ZUNDAF and HTF

7. Way Forward • Need TORs for IACCH • WHO to continue support for surveillance and response and IACCH • NHEOC needs urgent capacity building including staff such as epidemic preparedness and response manager

8. THANK YOU