Since 1991, the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) has been the most senior UN official dedicated to humanitarian affairs, and to coordinating and facilitating humanitarian assistance. The ERC, who reports directly to the United Nations Secretary-General, serves as a focal point for governments, intergovernmental, and nongovernmental organisations on humanitarian issues and relief activities. As Chair of the IASC, the ERC consults the Committee to develop unified positions and mobilise resources in response to humanitarian crises. In the event of a crisis, the ERC may appoint a Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) to lead the response on the ground. Until recently, the ERC was responsible for activating clusters at country level.
The ERC is also the head of OCHA (i.e. Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Humanitarian Affairs), and as such is responsible for the oversight of all emergencies requiring United Nations humanitarian assistance.