A latest version of the NutVal 2006 spreadsheet application for planning and monitoring the nutritional content of general food aid rations has been launched in line with the Sphere Project Key indicators for Nutrition. The program is in a Excel Spreadsheet (Version 2) and was released in August 2008. The program was developed by WFP with input from University College London and with financial support from WFP, UNHCR, UCL Futures, and the IASC Global Nutrition Cluster.

El 11 y 12 de julio del 2008, se llevo a cabo en la ciudad de Barinas – Venezuela, la “I Reunión de Programas Integrales, Región Andes – Llanos” de la Cruz Roja Venezolana, con la participación de 25 personas de los diferentes estado que conforman la región, Mérida, Táchira, Barinas, Apure y Trujillo, con la finalidad de la revisión y actualización de los Planes Operativos Locales (POL), de las Direcciones de Socorro, Salud y Bienestar Social, Voluntariado y Juventud, de esta prestigiosa institución.

 

Watch this video of an interactive theatre that was organised by CWS P/A in Pakistan on Quality and Accountability in Humantarian Assistance.

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The Feinstein International Center study about the "Humanitarian Agenda 2015 -- Perceptions of the Pakistan Earthquake Reponse" stated that the Sphere standards seemed to be a particular favorite of the military officers during the Pakistan 2005 Earthquake response. The army specifically requested and received Sphere training. A UN official commented on how the "the colonels started stealing our lingo and quoting IASC policies and Sphere standards." According to another UN official: "The military like standards, guidelines, accountability – they like to be able to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. That is why they liked the Sphere guidelines. They understand Sphere however as practical guidelines and standards, and not as humanitarian principles. We provided Sphere training to all brigadiers on up. Soon all were carrying their orange books under their arms and calling up agencies to hold them to account because their latrines were not up to standard."

A workshop about "Humanitarian Quality & Accountability in Afghanistan, Lessons Learned and Challenges Ahead” was held on 12th March in Kabul. The workshop was organized by Group URD and CWS-P/A (Sphere Focal Point) in partnership with the GoA and HAP to share experiences and thoughts about current quality issues in Afghanistan.

Amidst the snow-capped mountains surrounding Kabul, a group of over 40 humanitarian workers, government officials, donors, foreign dignitaries and researchers gathered together to discuss quality and accountability for humanitarian interventions in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is at the forefront of the geopolitical issues and lately, news surrounding the country is focused on security, reconstruction and development. With billions of dollars in aid money being poured into Afghanistan – the question often asked is how is the money being spent and are the people benefiting? A recent report published by the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR) indicates ‘an estimated 40% of the money spent has been returned to rich donor countries…through corporate profits, consultant salaries and other costs, vastly pushing up expenditure,’ which can lead to questions regarding the effectiveness of aid in Afghanistan.

The Presidents of the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the European Union on behalf of the 27 EU Member States signed on the 18th of December 2007 a 'European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid'. The Consensus sets out a common EU vision and a practical approach for reaching out effectively to millions of people worldwide suffering as a result of conflicts and natural disasters. 

Sphere India has completed 5 eventful years as an alliance of national and international Non-Government Organizations, UN agencies and government institutions.

Since its inception Sphere India has facilitated many activities and programmes to improve quality of humanitarian response by ensuring better understanding of humanitarian imperatives and coordination among humanitarian players. The journey of 5 years has been an enriching  experience mix of challenges and opportunities. The 5th Raising day event is an effort to bring together various stakeholders under one roof to share and reflect on the journey so far and connect with new Vision and Organisational Plan of Sphere India.