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The Transformative Agenda

Last updated: 07 Nov 2022

Overview

Building on the lessons learned from large scale humanitarian emergencies in 2010 and 2011, the IASC Principals agreed to a set of concrete actions to address the weaknesses identified in the existing humanitarian response model. These set of actions are collectively known as the Transformative Agenda (TA).

The TA aims to change the way in which the international humanitarian system responds to crises. It aims to improve the timeliness and effectiveness of the collective humanitarian response through:

  • better leadership,
  • improved coordination structures, and
  • greater accountability to beneficiaries.

Following the agreement on the TA, the IASC Principals established the TA Protocols. These protocols define the parameters for improved collective action in humanitarian emergencies. In 2018, taking into consideration lessons learned from the implementation of the 2012 protocols, particularly in relation to the "Humanitarian System-wide Scale-Up Activation", the IASC Principles adopted the Humanitarian System-wide Scale Up protocols to replace the previous protocols of response to L3 Emergencies.

 

  1. Protocol 1: Humanitarian System-Wide Scale-Up Activation - Definition and Procedures (part of the IASC Humanitarian System-Wide Scale-Up protocols released in 2018, replacing Humanitarian System-Wide Emergency Activation).
  2. Protocol 2: 'Empowered Leadership' in a Humanitarian System-Wide Scale-Up Activation (part of the IASC Humanitarian System-Wide Scale-Up protocols released in 2018, replacing Concept Paper on 'Empowered Leadership')
  3. Responding to Level 3 Emergencies: What ‘Empowered Leadership' looks like in practice (note this protocol is under revision)
  4. Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at the Country Level (revised July 2015)
  5. Humanitarian Programme Cycle Reference Module Version 2.0 (July 2015)
  6. Accountability to Affected Populations Operational Framework
  7. Inter-Agency Rapid Response Mechanism (IARRM) Concept Note (December 2013)
  8. Common Framework for Preparedness (October 2013)
  9. Emergency Response Preparedness (draft for Field Testing, July 2015)
  10. Multi-Sector Initial Rapid Assessment Guidance (Revision July 2015)

Scale-up Activation Timeline