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Sphere Handbook to be launched in several language versions

From Cochabamba in Bolivia to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and from Ottawa in Canada to Kinshasa in the D.R. Congo, the Sphere Handbook will be launched at some 20 events (see a list here).

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

The worldwide launch of the handbook’s English version took place on 14 April. “The Sphere Standards have become the gold standard for humanitarian assistance,” said UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos on that occasion.

The 2011 edition incorporates a new chapter – Protection Principles – which considers the protection and safety of populations affected by disaster or armed conflict as an integral part of humanitarian response. It also addresses emerging issues like climate change, disaster risk reduction, early recovery of services and livelihoods, cash transfers and civil-military relations.

Understanding and supporting local responses to disaster is a priority reflected in the whole Handbook, as is reinforcing the capacity of local actors.

The extensive revision of the Sphere Handbook that led to the 2011 edition involved more than 650 experts from some 300 organizations in about 20 countries. All the relevant UN agencies participated in the process.

The Sphere Project 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, the Sphere Handbook has been translated into more than 40 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 should govern humanitarian action and asserts the right of disaster-affected populations to life with dignity, protection and assistance. For the new edition, the Humanitarian Charter has been completely re-written so as to offer clearer language and strengthened linkage to the standards.

A series of Core and Minimum Standards are based on best practices in the sector. The Core Standards pertain to the planning and implementation phases of humanitarian response. The Minimum Standards refer to four sets of life-saving activities: water and sanitation; food security and nutrition; shelter and non-food items; and health. They have all been significantly revised in the new edition.

The Sphere Project, a unique voluntary initiative, is a consortium of humanitarian actors including some of the biggest and oldest organizations and agencies in this sector. It aims to improve the quality of humanitarian response to disasters or armed conflicts and the accountability of states and humanitarian agencies to their constituents, donors and affected populations.

Additional information:

  • Sphere Project online press room