Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the hemisphere, with 50% of the population living below the poverty line and unemployment standing at 23%. The country suffers greatly from dangerous natural phenomena, the consequences of which are felt the most by poorer families.

Risk Management addresses handling disasters by: Turning risk conditions into safer scenarios, as under the basic rights related to human potential and development, and preparing for timely and effective disaster response. The Sphere Project covers these elements.

In light of the above, a good number of NGOs and humanitarian agencies are working in the areas of emergency and disaster response, and local development, and have agreed to base themselves on the Sphere Project’s Minimum Standards.

On 22 August 2003, eight organizations signed the charter constituting the Sphere Network:

ADRA, Plinio Vergara
CARE, Aitor Joseba Lauda
CENTRO HUMBOLDT, Horacio Somarriba
CIDENIC, Sr. Víctor Potosme
CRS, Bayardo Cruz
International Federation of the Red Cross – NICARAGUA OFFICE, Anna Dobai
OXFAM GB, Charles Grigsby
World Vision - NICARAGUA, Eduardo Morales

The host organization is ADRA NICARAGUA. A Sphere Representative reports to the entire working group.

III. General Objective of the Sphere Project Working Group in Nicaragua

General:

Help strengthen a culture of prevention in the Nicaraguan Society, and improve the effectiveness of humanitarian disaster response.

Specifics:

1. Institutionalization of the Sphere Project’s HC/MS within the network;

2. Setting up a coordination and response mechanism that is harmonized among network members in disaster or emergency situations.

3. Dissemination of the Sphere Project’s HC/MS of and the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and expansion of the network in Nicaragua.

4. Adapting the indicators of the Minimum Standards in Humanitarian response to Nicaragua.

1. The 2003-2004 Work Plan for Nicaragua’s Sphere Network was drawn up.

2. The institutionalization of Sphere within the National System for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Attention was implemented through the rules on the functions of the sectoral working committees and a strategy for the institutionalization of Sphere at a national level.

3. Awareness-raising workshops on the Humanitarian Charter and the Sphere handbook were held in twelve municipalities of Nicaragua, particularly for the Municipal Committees for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation, and Attention.

4. A workshop was held to present the new Sphere handbook to technical experts in the thematic groups of organizations within Nicaragua’s Sphere Network.

V. Key messages and lessons drawn from the work of Nicaragua’s Sphere Network

A. Deepen the specific/thematic knowledge of technical members from the organizations making up Nicaragua’s Sphere Network about the project;

B. Systematize Sphere-related experiences in the context of risk management processes in Nicaragua.

C. Increase the number of successful experiences in the territories at the municipal and community levels, establishing links between them;

D. Continue integrating the National System for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Attention, so as to improve its performance, in particular in relation to Sphere;

E. Implement a strategy for communication and dissemination of the achievements and challenges related to Sphere in Nicaragua, linked with the results of the systematization of relevant experiences.

Original working plan (2003-2004) in SPANISH

For more information contact Mr. Plinio Vergara: