IASC Guidance for Humanitarian Country Teams, 2009

Published Date

The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) is the centrepiece of the humanitarian coordination architecture. A well functioning HCT that is timely, effective and efficient, and contributes to longer-term recovery will alleviate human suffering and protect the lives, livelihoods and dignity of populations in need. The document aims to provide guidance that can be tailored to specific country situations, as necessary and includes:

1) Establishment and disestablishment of a Humanitarian Country Team 

2) Responsibilities, such as agreeing on common strategic issues, agreeing on common policies and promoting adherence 

3) Composition of the Humanitarian Country Team

4) Chairmanship of the Humanitarian Country Team 

5) Modus operandi 

6) Interface with other in-country coordination mechanisms