humanitarian charter and minimum standards in disaster responses – also in french and spanish – Linked on our blogs with News from the Sphere Project.
Launched in 1997 by a group of humanitarian NGOs and the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, The Sphere Project is an initiative to define and uphold the standards by which the global community responds to the plight of people affected by disasters, principally through a set of guidelines that are set out in the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (commonly referred to as the Sphere Handbook, 344 pdf-pages) … (about 1/2).
english Homepage;
The Handbook; Humanitarian Charter; The Sphere Project’s online press room; Materials; Training; In Practise; Docs Database; Calendar; FAQs; Links;
Address: The Sphere Project, c/o International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IFRC, chemin des Crêts, 17, Petit-Saconnex; or: Case postale 372, 1211 Genève 19, Switzerland; Map by Google;
Contact.
About 2/2: … Sphere is based on two core beliefs: first, that those affected by disaster or conflict have a right to life with dignity and therefore a right to protection and assistance, and second, that all possible steps should be taken to alleviate human suffering arising out of disaster and conflict.
History and the Humanitarian Reform: … What is Sphere? Sphere is three things: a handbook, a broad process of collaboration, and an expression of commitment to quality and accountability.
The Sphere Handbook:
The Sphere Handbook – Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Disaster Response – was developed as, and remains, the key tool of the Project. The cornerstone of the book is the Humanitarian Charter, which describes the core principles that govern humanitarian action, and asserts the right of populations to protection and assistance. The minimum standards and indicators that follow are not exclusive to Sphere. They are a compilation of best practice in the sector and a practical expression of these core principles.
In the current 2004 edition of the Handbook, there are 5 chapters following the Humanitarian Charter – an initial chapter detailing ‘process’ and ‘people’ standards for the planning and implementation of programs, together with four technical chapters covering water, sanitation and hygiene promotion; food security, nutrition and food aid; shelter, settlement and non-food items; and health services. The 2004 edition is currently being revised, with the new 2011 edition to be launched in early 2011.
The 2011 Handbook edition will consolidate the latest best practices in the sector while putting the affected population at the centre of humanitarian action. Understanding and supporting local responses to disaster will be a priority reflected in the whole Handbook, as reinforcing the capacities of local actors at all levels. The new edition will also integrate a set a new emerging issues like disaster risk reduction, climate change, conflict sensitivity, urban settings, early recovery, education, etc. in addition to enhancing the linkages and coherence with other quality and accountability products such as the HAP Standard, the People in Aid Code and the INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies. The publication of the new edition will provide an opportunity for a significant global awareness-raising campaign to outreach to the widest possible audiences to update their knowledge and revitalize their use of Sphere.
Sphere after a decade: … (full long text about – plus History and the Humanitarian Reform).