The Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs) Cluster was launched in South Sudan in 2011 and acts as a coordinating mechanism of partner organizations working to provide life-saving household items and shelter materials to conflict- and disaster-affected people in South Sudan. Since the current conflict began in December 2013, Cluster partners have been working tirelessly to conduct flexible, timely and needs-based interventions for some of the most vulnerable and remote populations across the country. The Cluster continues to overcome severe logistic, security, access and resource constraints to reach those most affected by the violence and the lack of functioning markets in states like Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile.
IOM leads the Cluster at the national level with the support of World Vision International as Co-Lead. IOM also manages the common pipeline which provides a reliable, cost-effective and steady stream of quality materials to partners for distribution to populations in need. In addition to providing stock for immediate distribution, the pipeline pre-positions materials in strategic locations across the country to further facilitate rapid deployment of life saving items. Finally, IOM manages a mobile response team to act as provider of last resort for the Cluster and support with partner capacity-building as the need arises.