Prior to discussing how and when the Health Cluster is activated at country level following a major disaster, it is important to consider the long history of good coordination and collaboration at national level that has existed in Latin America and the Caribbean for decades, both prior to and following natural disasters.

Many countries utilize a mechanism known as sectoral working groups (mesas sectoriales in Spanish, as they are most commonly found in Latin America), and although the scope and working arrangements may vary from country to country, sectoral working groups share the common characteristic of providing a space in which to develop work plans and policies.