The establishment of gFSC was intended to ensure better global support for coordination mechanisms at country level, more systematic coordination efforts, and a better integration between food assistance, livelihoods, and agriculture interventions. For more information on the evaluation of the FSC (2009-2014), see here.

The cluster approach operates at two levels, global and local. At global level, clusters work to strengthen system-wide preparedness and technical capacity to ensure response to humanitarian emergencies by designated global cluster leads, as well as predictable leadership and accountability in all the main sectors or areas of activity. 

In short, the objective of the gFSC is therefore to ensure sufficient capacity for and to provide strategic guidance to national Food Security Clusters (and Sectors) in order to strengthen food security coordination, analysis, early action and responses in crisis situations, mainstream early recovery approaches and enhance national capacity to:

• Deliver predictable and accountable leadership and coordination for food security responses.
• Strengthen the effectiveness of existing national and local humanitarian management and coordination systems, building on local capacities through the active participation of affected population.
• Optimize collaboration and partnerships among governments, UN agencies, NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, donors, and other stakeholders to ensure a holistic and timely response.
• Integrate early recovery activities consistently into approaches to food security responses. 

See a map of the current active national Food Security Clusters and Sectors supported by the gFSC here.