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."

This Humanitarian Agenda 2015 study, “Perceptions of the Pakistan Earthquake Response,” records the perceptions of both aid providers and aid recipients in the earthquake-affected areas of Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In particular, the report examines perceptions regarding the following four issues: the universality of humanitarian principles, the impact of the War on Terror on the earthquake response, the role of the Pakistan Army in leading the response, and the security of humanitarian aid workers.

Read the full report (PDF, 2.3MB)