Identifying, planning and coordinating needs assessments and analysis (both within and across clusters) is a core cluster function and principal component of the HPC cycle (see HPC diagram chapter 2) and lays the foundations for understanding and developing an effective humanitarian response. Understanding who is in need (People in Need, PIN), what support is required, and which areas are affected, are some of the immediate questions that will be asked during the onset of a response. 

The cluster will help coordinate both the assessments required to develop the core Food security metrics (PIN and Severity) and ensure that the respective indicators are captured in cross cluster assessments (such as MSNA or MIRA). Please see CC Handbook : Chapter 6 for more information.