--- title: "1.5.3 Accountability to Affected Populations" slug: "153-accountability-to-affected-populations" updated: 2025-08-26T09:35:39Z published: 2025-08-26T09:35:39Z canonical: "handbook.fscluster.org/153-accountability-to-affected-populations" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://handbook.fscluster.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # 1.5.3 Accountability to Affected Populations AAP is the active commitment by humanitarian actors to take account of, give account to, and be held to account by the people they seek to assist. The primary aim of AAP is to ensure that responses are informed by the needs and preferences of affected communities. This entails informing (making sure information reaches and can be understood by people in all their diversities) and listening to communities, establishing feedback and complaint mechanisms (that are inclusive and accessible), building partnerships with local actors, and promoting representation in decision-making. Different but comparable terms for AAP are used by different response operations including Communicating with Communities, Communications and Community Engagement, Community Engagement and Accountability, and Communications for Development. **Collective commitments to AAP:** System-wide accountability is essential to meeting organizational and collective commitments as outlined by the Grand Bargain [Participation Revolution Workstream](https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/a-participation-revolution-include-people-receiving-aid-in-making-the-decisions-which-affect-their-lives), the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability ([CHS](https://corehumanitarianstandard.org/)) and the revised [IASC Commitments](https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/iasc-revised-aap-commitments-2017-including-guidance-note-and-resource-list), from 2017, on AAP and PSEA. The IASC Commitments focus on four main areas: leadership, participation and partnerships, information, communication and action and results. A **Collective Accountability Framework** provides the conceptual structure for contextualizing and operationalizing AAP commitments and standards into appropriate response-wide activities; it provides the basis for working collaboratively and delivering on **five key outputs**: - **Output 1:** **Coordinated needs assessment and analysis** reflects the perceptions of information needs and communication preferences of all affected community groups. - **Output 2:** The **Humanitarian Response Plan** is inclusive of the voices of all affected community groups. - **Output 3:** A **resourced country-level approach** coordinates information provision, community feedback systems and participation. - **Output 4:** Response **implementation** is coordinated with and driven by informed community participation and feedback systems and is **monitored and adjusted** as needed. - **Output 5:** Coordinated, independent and participatory **evaluation, verification and learning** from response operations informs future actions at all levels. The below diagram provides an overview of the in-country structure for implementing the Collective AAP Framework and Action Plan. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/be292e4d-58a1-4b36-b738-174162fabafa/Images/Documentation/Chapter_01_def-03.png) *Diagram adapted* *from the* [*UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Handbook*](https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/humanitarian-leadership-strengthening/leadership-humanitarian-action-handbook-un-resident-and-humanitarian-coordinator) *(IASC, 2021) p. 105*. **“What is the FSC Coordinator’s role?”** The FSC Coordinator should promote AAP to be at the centre of partners’ actions, as well as take active part of all inter-cluster initiatives on AAP. ***Examples of FSC Coordinator activities:*** - Include AAP agenda item in cluster/sectors meetings when relevant, either raising awareness on AAP/PSEA commitments and related reporting mechanisms or discussing key themes coming through complaints and feedback mechanism (and tracking progress); the protection cluster coordinator can be invited to the FSC meeting, as well as the ProCap person if present in country. - Provide guidance notes for AAP activities; create minimum standards or processes with the FSC members and/or with the other clusters. For instance, targeting SOPs should include clear links to assessment findings, consultations with affected communities regarding the process, and the presence of safeguards against corruption and SEA; FSC partners should have a complaint box/desk at every distribution point etc. A cluster specific “PSEA prevention and mitigation checklist” can be created using the guiding questions of SEA Risk Assessment (see example of an SEA Risk Assessment Guide from Ethiopia [here](https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/sea-risk-assessment-guide-ethiopia-psea-network) – contact the GST for further training material. See also an example of a checklist from the FSC in DRC [here](https://fscluster.org/sites/default/files/documents/20210831_cluster_securite_alimentaire_psea.pdf), in French). - Integrate relevant indicators on AAP in the HRP (see examples listed under IASC’s [Suggested Actions for cluster coordination groups to strengthen Accountability to Affected Populations and Protection in the Humanitarian Programme Cycle](https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/suggested_actions_to_strenghten_aap_and_protection_for_clusters_final_02092016.pdf)). - Liaise with Protection Cluster, its Areas of Responsibility (AORs) and gender/ AAP specialists to ensure adequate referral systems are in place (e.g. for GBV, SEA, protection of children and older people, HLP, etc.). - Contribute to the establishment of a Collective AAP Framework and Action Plan (see example of Syria at the link [here](https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/AAP%20%E2%80%93%20A%20collective%20approach%20to%20humanitarian%20effectiveness%20framework.pdf)). - Organize capacity strengthening initiatives for partners and members. With the support of clusters and expert agencies. **Examples of successful AAP mechanisms**: - In Mozambique, a tollfree inter-agency hotline (*Linha Verde*) is used by the affected population and humanitarian actors to make requests for information, assistance or raise concerns in relation to, or resulting from humanitarian assistance. The hotline is operated through a call centre and is managed by WFP on behalf of the HCT. The FSC Coordinator trained the staff of the hotline and developed the FAQ and continues to present the updates and information from the hotline at the cluster meetings). - In Afghanistan, a countrywide, toll-free, confidential hotline number (*Awaaz*) can be dialled by affected population to access information on and register feedback about the humanitarian response. While the Awaaz project is implemented by UNOPS, needs and priorities as reported on the ground are circulated to partners / clusters to help improve the quality of programming the country. - In Cox’s Bazar ECT set up a Communication with Communities WG (CwC WG) as part of the inter sectoral group: this group works with all Clusters/Sectors and local actors, including refugee focal points, for the dissemination of key messages, emergency issues (cyclone, flooding, etc), in the local and refugees' languages. **For more information on practical steps to implement the cluster AAP commitments in each phase of the HPC, refer to:** - [AAP & PSEA Tip Sheet](https://fscluster.org/programme-quality-working-group/document/aap-psea-tip-sheet) (gFSC Protection Taskforce group /PQWG, 2022). - The [gFSC/GNC Mainstreaming AAP and Core People-Related Issues in the HPC through the Cluster System (2015)](https://fscluster.org/programme-quality-working-group/document/gfscgnc-mainstreaming-aap-and-core). - [Suggested Actions for cluster coordination groups to strengthen Accountability to Affected Populations and Protection in the Humanitarian Programme Cycle](https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/suggested_actions_to_strenghten_aap_and_protection_for_clusters_final_02092016.pdf) (IASC, Protection Cluster, OCHA, 2016). **Need ad-hoc support?** - The [gFSC help desk](https://fscluster.org/page/request-support) and the Protection Taskforce group at global level can provide support to the FSC Coordinator on AAP and protection related issues. **Additional Resources:** - The gFSC’s video on [Accountability to Affected Populations Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnjbz2DF3TQ) - **IASC****:** See the [IASC Task Force 2](https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/iasc-task-force-2-accountability-affected-people) on Accountability to Affected People. See also: [DRAFT Collective AAP Framework - Guidance and Template](https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/collective-advocacy/draft-collective-aap-framework-guidance-and-template) (IASC, 2021, draft). [IASC Commitments on AAP and PSEA](https://fscluster.org/document/iasc-commitments-accountability-affected) (2017), The [IASC overview of AAP tools, guidance and case studies](https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/iasc_cdac_aap_tools_guidance_and_case_studies_-_shortlist_002.pdf) (2018) and the [IASC Accountability and Inclusion Resource Portal](https://aap-inclusion-psea.alnap.org/), a “go-to” place for practitioners who strive to implement people-centred approached. It includes IASC guidance and other essential resources. - The Protection Cluster’s [Checklist on incorporating Protection and Accountability to Affected Populations in the Humanitarian Programme Cycle](https://reliefweb.int/report/world/checklist-incorporating-protection-and-accountability-affected-populations-humanitarian) (2016) can help Coordinators ensure that AAP are fulfilled in all stages of the HPC. - A good example of, and guidance from UNHCR on, how to set up an effective feedback mechanism: [10 steps to setting up an effective feedback mechanism](https://www.unhcr.org/innovation/10-steps-to-setting-up-an-effective-feedback-mechanism/). - WFP’s [Protection and Accountability Policy](https://executiveboard.wfp.org/document_download/WFP-0000119393) (2020) and [Protection and Accountability Handbook](https://www.wfp.org/publications/2021-protection-and-accountability-handbook) (2021). - FAO’s [Guidance Note - Accountability to affected populations](https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/emergencies/docs/Guidance%20Note%20Accountability.pdf) (2013) Accountability to Affected Populations Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Inter-Agency Standing Committee Food Security Cluster Standard Operating Procedures Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Global Support Team (gFSC) Humanitarian Response Plan Gender Based Violence World Food Programme Humanitarian Country Team Emergency Telecommunications Cluster Working Group Global Food Security Cluster United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Humanitarian Programme Cycle United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation