Overview of Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus Approach at country level

Status of HDPN coordination in the countries

In most of the countries with active food security clusters, the coordination among HDP actors is established to some extent (in 4 operations, it is well established and in 18 partially). In operations with well-established coordination (Cameroon, Ethiopia Food Cluster, Pakistan, Niger) in most cases, the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) or Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) is taking the lead. In some operations, the leadership is also being undertaken by the government (Niger) or Inter-Sectoral Group (Pakistan).

Among operations with partially established HDP coordination, varied degrees of progress and challenges is being observed. While some operations have established platforms and mechanisms for coordinating humanitarian and development actions, others face fragmentation and informal coordination efforts. Challenges include weak coordination mechanisms, lack of data sharing, and a disconnect between humanitarian, development, and peace actors. Efforts are underway to strengthen coordination, with initiatives led by UN agencies, NGOs, and government bodies. However, there remains a need for enhanced coordination, alignment of activities, and clarity on roles to avoid duplication and maximize impact. The responses underscore the importance of fostering dialogue and collaboration to effectively address the complexities of protracted crises and promote sustainable development and peacebuilding efforts within affected communities.

In five operations the coordination between HDP actors is not established and most of the partners work in silos (Syria Damascus, Syria NES, Central African Republic, Myanmar, Sudan) mainly due to contextual reasons.

Leadership of the HDP Nexus coordination

Among those operations with established or partially established coordination between HDP actors, more often this coordination is being led by HC or HCT (in 11 operations), OCHA or Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (in 9 operations) and host government (8 operations).  

At which coordination platforms are discussions on the HDP Nexus taking place

Inter-Cluster Coordination Group also often serves as a coordination platform to discuss the issues related to HDP Nexus (16 operations), together with HCT and governmental platforms (11 operations), cluster working groups (9 operations), FSC regular meetings (8 operations), UNCT (8 operations). The HDPN questions are also being discussed in other clusters' meetings and technical working group discussions. The coordinators point out that in almost all sectorial groups this theme appears as a necessity and it has been discussed in other platforms, including Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG), Durable Solutions and Anticipatory Actions Working Groups, HRP preparation meetings and workshops.

The Agriculture Technical Working Groups established under the FSC are being considered in several operations as a platform and starting point to initiate the HDPN discussions in countries (Burkina Faso, Syria Gaziantep, Syria NES).

Buy-in from government

The coordinators have been asked if the question of Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus, linking humanitarian assistance to development and peace actions, had been brought to attention from the government side. 

As reported by the coordinators, in the majority of the operations government raised on certain way the necessity to address HDPN-related questions: in 11 operations government initiated the need in HDPN approach during meetings with stakeholders, in 10 operations the HDPN-related issues are reflected in the governmental strategy, and 8 – in the agreement between government and the UN. 

For example, the United Nations in Burkina Faso has developed a UNIDAP Cooperation Framework and has aligned its interventions to the Host Government's National Plans - such as PA-SD, PNDES II, the National Strategy. 

In Pacific region the other governmental documents like workplans and SOPs note the value of Humanitarian-Development alignment and of emergency response mechanisms operating with a view to supporting existing government led initiatives on social protection. 

In Haiti, the National Policy and Strategy of Sovereignty and Food Security and Nutrition has been developed. 

Only in 9 operations out of a total of 27, the government does not raise any concerns related to the HDPN approach during meetings.

In some 8 operations formal mechanisms to report to the government have been initiated (Ethiopia Agriculture Taskforce, Pacific, Honduras, Somalia, Ethiopia Food Cluster, Pakistan, Venezuela, Colombia), in other 9 this reporting mechanism has been established to some extent (Burkina Faso, Haiti, Mozambique, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Niger, Afghanistan).

Durable Solution and Early Recovery Sectors

Early Recovery Clusters/Sectors/ Working Groups are established in 8 operations, and almost everywhere is being led by UNDP. Durable Solution Working Groups are established in 10 operations and are being co-led most often by IOM, UNHCR, and specialized ministries. As reported by the cluster coordinators, only in two operations out of 27 both Durable Solutions and Early Recovery Sectors are established – Chad and Nigeria.