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Revamped standards for humanitarian work to be launched in April

The launch of the Sphere Handbook 2011 edition (English version) will take place internationally on 14 April. Washington, London and Geneva are confirmed venues. Other venues will be announced later on. Additional language versions will be launched in June.

The Sphere Handbook establishes shared principles and a set of universal minimum standards in core areas of humanitarian response. It offers a common language and provides guidance for effective and accountable humanitarian response and advocacy.

The Handbook was created by a group of humanitarian non-governmental organizations and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Since its first trial edition in 1998, it has been translated into more than 20 languages, becoming the most widely known and internationally recognized set of standards for humanitarian response.

The cornerstone of the Handbook is the Humanitarian Charter, which describes core principles that govern humanitarian action, and asserts the right of populations to life with dignity, protection and assistance. The minimum standards and indicators are a compilation of best practice in the sector and a practical expression of these core principles.

The extensive revision that led to the 2011 edition involved a large number of individuals and organizations from the humanitarian sector, including several United Nations agencies. The Humanitarian Charter has been completely re-written, while several standards have been significantly modified and restructured.

The new edition incorporates a stronger focus on the protection and safety of affected populations. It deals with emerging issues like climate change, disaster risk reduction, disasters in urban settings, education as well as early recovery of services, livelihoods and governance capacity of affected communities. Understanding and supporting local responses to disaster is a priority reflected in the whole Handbook, as is reinforcing the capacity of local actors.

Core standards pertaining to the planning and implementation phases of humanitarian response (‘process’ and ‘people’ standards) have been revised. As have too minimum standards dealing with four sets of life-saving activities: water and sanitation, food, shelter and healthcare.

“The Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards will not of course stop humanitarian crises from happening, nor can they prevent human suffering. What they offer, however, is an opportunity for the enhancement of assistance with the aim of making a difference to the lives of people affected by disaster”, state Ton van Zutphen, Sphere Board Chair and John Damerell, Sphere Project Manager in the Foreword to the new edition of the Handbook.

Arabic, French, Spanish and Russian versions of the Sphere Handbook will be launched in June. The Sphere Project encourages the translation of the Handbook into other languages (please contact the Sphere office for guidelines).

The Sphere Project is a unique voluntary initiative reflecting the collective will and shared experience of a broad array of humanitarian actors. It aims to improve the quality of assistance to people affected by disasters and the accountability of states and humanitarian agencies to their constituents, donors and affected populations.

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