---
title: "1.2.1 Changing how Humanitarian Coordination works"
slug: "121-changing-how-humanitarian-coordination-works"
updated: 2025-08-26T09:11:01Z
published: 2025-08-26T09:11:01Z
canonical: "handbook.fscluster.org/121-changing-how-humanitarian-coordination-works"
---

> ## 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.

# 1.2.1 Changing how Humanitarian Coordination works

Since 1991, and especially since 2005, the international humanitarian system has undergone several significant reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of our work. The initial steps to strengthen the United Nations coordination of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies and natural disasters were taken in **1991** with General Assembly resolution [46/182](https://www.unocha.org/sites/unocha/files/dms/Documents/120402_OOM-46182_eng.pdf). It focused on prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery and led to the creation of the following: the **Emergency Relief Coordinator** (ERC) position, the **Inter- Agency Standing Committee** (IASC), the **consolidated appeal system** (CAP, now replaced by the HPC) and the **Central Emergency Revolving Fund** (CERF), and the Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA, later renamed **Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs** (OCHA)*.*

*![](https://cdn.document360.io/be292e4d-58a1-4b36-b738-174162fabafa/Images/Documentation/c1_timeline_def.png)*

*Adapted from* [UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Handbook](https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/humanitarian-leadership-strengthening/leadership-humanitarian-action-handbook-un-resident-and-humanitarian-coordinator)*, IASC, 2021, p. 20.*

*See* [*1.4*](/cc/docs/14-key-actors-at-global-level) *for more details on the key actors at global level, the roles they play and* ***why they are important to be aware of as an FSC Coordinator.***

Emergency Relief Coordinator

Inter-Agency Standing Committee

Humanitarian Programme Cycle

Central Emergency Response Fund

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Food Security Cluster