As the community of Sphere users is growing all over the world, with increased accumulated knowledge about its implementation in practice, the Sphere office is realising the need to further support the dissemination of this experience and knowledge about Sphere.

In particular, we would like to enhance the role that community members themselves can play in reaching out to more people, to influence more the Quality and Accountability of Humanitarian Response.

The Sphere office is therefore encouraging Sphere users to take a leadership role to direct future Sphere activities.The identification of Sphere Focal Points on different levels, i.e. globally, regionally, nationally, organisationally, by response, by sector, etc., is the cornerstone to this. It is important to identify individuals who can take “responsibility” for Sphere. Focal Points will be the point of contact for those who seek to put Sphere into Practice.

A more detailed description of what is a Sphere Focal Point and what can be expected from it is described in the Terms of Reference  (click here to read it). It is worth mentioning that a Sphere Focal Point is a purely voluntary activity, based on self-selection. Being a Sphere Focal Point might not require a great deal of time or work, but it does require a genuine interest and commitment to Sphere values, principles and practice and to their wider and better application in situations of disaster response.

If you feel willing to act as a Sphere Focal Point in your organisation, region, country, institution, etc., please fill the form at the end of the ToR and send it back to us to:  accompanied by a Presentation Letter that contains the following:

A special mailing list for Focal Points has been created that enables all Sphere Focal Points to communicate through it.

Let us work together to enhance the Quality and Accountabiltiy of Humanitarian action.