The cluster approach was the most visible and perhaps most ambitious aspect of the humanitarian reform agenda. It brought enhanced structure and accountability to a previously muddled coordination landscape. Prior to 2005, technical sectors had no clear arbiter for quality standards and best practices, no clear leadership per sector and no designated accountability to act as providers of last resort. The creation of the cluster approach addressed this by establishing a new humanitarian coordination architecture centred around major technical programme sectors.

The objective was to facilitate more predictable leadership, improved planning and prioritisation and enhanced accountability and ensure that gaps in response did not go unaddressed. The cluster approach helped to clarify the division of labour between organizations, and their roles and responsibilities in different areas of response.