Enhancing humanitarian impact through effective cluster coordination

LM International is firmly committed to delivering sustainable, impactful humanitarian aid. At the core of this commitment lies active participation in cluster coordination platforms, which are essential for harmonising sectoral efforts and bolstering aid effectiveness.

LM International is visibly engaged across key clusters, including Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH); Shelters/NFIs; Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL); Education; Protection; Gender-Based Violence (GBV); Health; Nutrition; Safety and Security; and Logistics. These meetings are co-chaired by government representatives and cluster coordinators from the UN or INGOs, fostering focused, structured collaboration within each sector.

LM International is also a member of national NGO forums in South Sudan and other operational contexts. Through these forums, LM collaborates with partners to ensure transparent communication, effective coordination, and comprehensive information-sharing. This participation supports policy advocacy for humanitarian principles, advances the localisation agenda, and strengthens operational support, particularly in security and risk management, thus maintaining accountable, responsive aid delivery.

Coordination forums are crucial to aligning our work with national and international humanitarian strategies, meeting the urgent needs of affected populations. Most critically, they reinforce our adherence to the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS), especially CHS 6, as we support crisis-affected communities with respect for their rights and dignity, fostering their meaningful involvement in co-designing response projects tailored to their needs.

Our operational footprint spans national, state, and county levels. In South Sudan, LM International has direct presence in Jonglei, Unity, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Western Equatoria States, while working through local partners in Central and Eastern Equatoria. Currently, LM leads the Sub-national WASH Cluster in Western Equatoria. In Sudan, we co-lead the WASH cluster and chair the Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and Advocacy working groups, with a direct presence in Red Sea, Blue Nile, and several Kordofan and Darfur states.

In Chad, LM International plays a central role in national and local coordination as part of the UNHCR Coordination Mechanism, engaging in working groups focused on WASH, Food Security, and Protection. In Niger, LM is the national WASH cluster member, the co-lead of the population movement sub-cluster, and a focal point in the Education cluster.

The Value of Cluster Coordination

LM International’s engagement in cluster meetings is pivotal to fostering collaboration with other humanitarian agencies, government bodies, and stakeholders. These platforms facilitate:

Coordinated responses and synergies that enhance overall programme impact.
Exchange of best practices, challenges, and shared approaches.
Access to updated humanitarian information, needs assessments, and service gaps.
Advocacy for sectoral priorities and policies, ensuring community voices are represented.
Relationship-building with donors, government entities, and peer organisations to support capacity-building, advocacy, and resource mobilisation.
Adoption of standardised approaches and quality assurance through shared knowledge.
Enhanced visibility, reputation, and credibility across sectors.
Prevention of activity duplication and optimised resource allocation.
Strengthening of local actors through knowledge-sharing and resource provision, bolstering local ownership and sustainability.
Alignment with global humanitarian standards, guaranteeing accountability and high-quality interventions.

Through sector-specific clusters, LM leverages collective insights for targeted interventions addressing South Sudan’s complex needs. In line with the Grand Bargain’s localisation commitment, LM is dedicated to empowering local partners by providing technical support and capacity-building tools, particularly in Central and Eastern Equatoria, in sectors such as WASH and GBV prevention. This approach not only strengthens local resilience but also ensures community-led and sustainable interventions.

Participation Criteria and Procedures

LM International maintains rigorous engagement standards, adhering to cluster coordination criteria including:

Commitment to Humanitarian Principles: Upholding humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
Sector-Specific Expertise: Bringing technical proficiency in WASH, Education, Food Security, and Protection.
Operational Presence: Ensuring a direct presence across multiple contexts to enhance cluster relevance and impact.
Information Sharing: Committing to transparent reporting on activities, gaps, and challenges.
Capacity to Implement: Demonstrating operational capability aligned with each cluster’s strategic objectives.

Ensuring Effective Participation

To maintain active engagement in coordination meetings, LM International assigns skilled personnel to attend each sectoral meeting, enabling responsive, informed decision-making. Representatives systematically report back to the organisation, ensuring strategic alignment with evolving field developments. LM contributes meaningfully by sharing on-ground data and actionable insights, advancing informed discussions and collaborative decision-making among stakeholders. Through collective resource-sharing, joint assessments, and coordinated action planning, LM enhances the humanitarian response's effectiveness and impact.

Our Contributions to Cluster Platforms

LM International’s contributions to cluster platforms include:
Sector Leadership in WASH: As the Sub-national WASH Cluster Lead in Western Equatoria and co-lead in Sudan, LM is instrumental in coordinating WASH activities, from strategic planning to delivering clean water and improved hygiene services.

Data Sharing: We provide real-time data from our operational areas, informing evidence-based cluster decisions.
Local Empowerment: By strengthening local partners and communities, we ensure sustainable humanitarian interventions.
Advocacy: Active participation in education, protection, and GBV clusters allows us to advocate for vulnerable groups, shaping policies to prioritise their safety and well-being.

Evaluating Participation Effectiveness

LM International regularly evaluates its cluster engagement through internal reviews and feedback, refining strategies to optimise impact. These evaluations ensure our work remains aligned with sectoral strategies and responsive to emerging needs, continually enhancing our contributions and sectoral influence.To maintain active engagement in coordination meetings, LM International assigns skilled personnel to