Ensuring needs assessments and analysis (both within and across clusters) constitutes the first step of the HPC and is a core cluster function (3.4.1). They provide the evidence base for any humanitarian response, illustrate the needs of affected populations (for the FSC and at inter-sectoral level) through the HNO and inform strategic response planning (9.5). They also provide the necessary information for operational planning and resource requirements as well as the baseline information upon which response monitoring systems will rely (9.7). Assessments should be coordinated (i.e. conducted jointly or through a harmonized approach. The role of the Coordinator is described in detail in chapter 6.