Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) continues to support Sphere in Sri Lanka
15.11.2006
Promotion of Sphere standards was the main aim this year (2006) for CHA and has been successful in achieving this aim. Results are evident with the number requests to undergo training in Sphere Standards island wide. RedR/CHA training strategy incorporated Sphere training as a mainstay. Following is a brief of such activities:
Awareness and Capacity Building – Sphere awareness raising and capacity building was incorporated to the work plan of CHA /RedR training for the year 2006. Initial plan is to build capacity with CHA/RedR and then capacity and awareness of district agencies. As a result 4 CHA/RedR personnel underwent Sphere training conducted in Sri Lanka by RedR India. RedR Learning support Officer who also underwent training conducted session briefs and introductory workshops to RedR/CHA District Learning Support Officers (Jaffna/Galle/Hambantota). ReDr Learning support Officer further underwent Sphere Project ToT in Singapore and is a qualified trainer. Capacity building within has been done to a great extent.
Launch of the Sphere Sinhala version – The launch of the sinhala version was done early this year with the printing of 1000 versions. The launch was well attended by aid agencies and more importantly, the government officials, especially those of the tsunami affected districts. The Chief Guest was a high ranking government official who praised the launch and appreciated the standards set in this field. His instructions to government officials were to ensure to adherence of this minimum standards and requested dissemination of books to all District Secretariats which was done by CHA.
Training – Due to the awareness created, there was a demand for Sphere training and action taken is as follows:
RedR India delivered program on Sphere – conducted over 5 days. Sphere aspects incorporated into current training programs conducted by CHA/RedR such as: - Emergency Preparedness - CPA - Training of Trainers
Sphere Workshops – two dedicated workshops on to an introduction to and awareness raising about Sphere was held in the districts of Matara and Hambantota. This adapted the Module 1 – Training program on the Sphere website. The first of these was conducted in English and the next entirely in the local language – Sinhalese.
Material Development – In terms of material and resources what is available are; - Sphere handbook translated into Sinhala and available at district level. - Translation to Tamil - negotiation in process. - English version available - Emergency Preparedness Book – Section of Sphere incorporated
Future Plans – Produce module 1 awareness raising workshop as a toolkit for further use and translate into local languages - Conduct ToT in Sphere for a maximum number of participants for deliverance in districts. - Produce additional modules for use as workshops and as toolkits for continued use by CHA/RedR District Learning Support Officers. - Map Sri Lanka Sphere expertise and form a Sphere Community of Practice to institutionalize and implement Sphere.
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