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The U.N. Cluster Mechanism has changed the way in which humanitarian assistance is coordinated and delivered. Assistance is now organized around nine clusters. Each Cluster is led or co-led by a UN agency, according to its respective areas of expertise. Each Cluster (the Cluster mechanism is described later in this chapter) is responsible for all post-disaster activities related to the topic, regardless of who is implementing – whether the government, an NGO or a UN agency. The Clusters encompass the following issues:

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.