---
title: "1.4.1 Emergency Relief Coordinator"
slug: "141-emergency-relief-coordinator"
updated: 2023-12-07T10:06:07Z
published: 2023-12-07T10:06:07Z
canonical: "handbook.fscluster.org/141-emergency-relief-coordinator"
---

> ## 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.

# 1.4.1 Emergency Relief Coordinator

Since 1991, the Emergency Relief Coordinator ([ERC](https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/emergency-relief-coordinator)) 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.

**Why is this important to know?** In most protracted crises, FSC Coordinators will be working within a cluster setting at country level that has been activated by the ERC. In late 2021 however, this task was delegated to the Emergency Directors Group (EDG).

Emergency Relief Coordinator

Inter-Agency Standing Committee

Humanitarian Coordinator

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Food Security Cluster

Emergency Directors Group