The overall approach and work of the Food Security Cluster, and FSC Coordinators, are underpinned by eight guiding principles - all building on the basic principles, frameworks and humanitarian reform initiatives described in this chapter:

1. New Course of Action: Ensure that humanitarian action moves from delivering assistance to ending needs and it is built on self- sustainability by better analysing the causes.  
2. Primacy of Humanitarian Principles: Reinforce, without exception, the primacy of the humanitarian principles wherein delivery of assistance to vulnerable populations is to be prioritised, especially in protracted crises, where humanitarian principles could be in contradiction with a more pragmatic development approach or a politically influenced stabilization action.
3. Reinforcement Over Replacement: Build upon and strengthen existing national and local systems (when appropriate), including the development agencies by focusing on their reinforcement and complementarity and not their replacement. 
4. Risk Analysis: Analyse risks in order to anticipate crises.
5. Collaboration Over Competition: Focus efforts on improving collaboration rather than on competition, to strengthen coherence and efficiency of humanitarian action. 
6. Evidence Based Decision-Making: Ensure that consultative decisions taken within the FSC are based upon analysis of reliable and timely data and information. This includes ensuring that response options and modalities (example: cash, in-kind, voucher, services, etc.) are based on analysis and assessment. 
7. Context Driven, Agile and Flexible Approach:  Take decisions that are context driven and ensure that the approach remains flexible and agile. 
8. Gender, Protection and Disability: Mainstream protection, Gender and Inclusion concerns (such as disability) within FSC’ activities, in effort to end all forms of violence against especially women and children, and to ensure their equal participation in matters pertaining to food security.