The Humanitarian Charter and the Rights - Based Approach 1.2

Objectives of this Session Introduce the core principles found in the Humanitarian Charter (HC) and the international legal instruments on which they are based To explain the meaning and hierarchical relationship of the: Sphere Charter Protection Principles Standards Key Actions Key Indicators, and Guidance Notes

Key IndicatorsMinimum Standards Handbook Structure Humanitarian Charter & Protection Principles Code of Conduct Key Actions Common Standards Chapter Water & SanitationFood & NutritionShelter & SettlementHealth

The Humanitarian Charter

The Humanitarian Charter is based on 3 basic rights: 1. The Right to Life with Dignity 2. The Right to Receive Humanitarian Assistance 3. The Right to Protection and Security (  please see page 21 of the 2011 Edition)

The Protection Principles 1.Avoid Exposing people to further harm as a result of your actions 2.Ensure people’s access to impartial assistance – in proportion to need and without discrimination 3.Protect people from physical and psychological harm arising from violence and corruption 4.Assist people to claim their rights, access available remedies and recover from the effects of abuse

Some notes on Protection and Sphere… “It is essential to note that roles and responsibilities of agencies in this context are generally secondary ones.” (see page 30) “The principles are not ‘absolute’… nevertheless the Principles reflect universal humanitarian concerns which should guide action at all times.’ (see page 31) Practical limitations… Practical Modes… 1. Preventive 2. Responsive 3. Remedial (see page 32) The common element is advocacy

The Core Standards “The core standards describe the processes that are essential to achieving all the Sphere minimum standards.” (see page 53)

1. People- centred humanitarian response 1. People- centred humanitarian response 2. Coordination and collaboration 3. Assessment 4. Design and response 4. Design and response 5. Performance transparency and learning 6. Aid worker performance 6. Aid worker performance Page 55Page 58Page 61 Page 65Page 68Page 71

What is a minimum standard ? A universal, qualitative statement about what is necessary (  please see page 100 of the 2011 Edition) Water supply standard 2: water quality Drinking dirty water in Eastern Chad July 20, (Newsday / Jiro Ose) Water is palatable, and of sufficient quality to be drunk and used for personal and domestic hygiene without causing risk to health

What is a key action? A suggestion on how to attain a minimum standard. These are not applicable in all cases and it is up to the practitioner to decide the best course of action for any give context. (  please see page 7 of the 2011 Edition)

What is a key indicator? A signal or tool to measure whether a standard has been attained. (  please see page 7 of the 2011 Edition)

Disseminate experience, illuminate areas of controversy, relate to cross-cutting themes, and help use indicators properly. Guidance notes* (  please see page 8 of the 2011 Edition) How will people use relief materials, what works best? What kinds of problems or unanticipated results could there be? * “They do not provide guidance as to how to implement a specific activity”

In Summary….. The Humanitarian Charter is about principles and values based on an appreciation of all people’s rights, based on existing international law. It has been reinforced with a set of Protection Principles - These concepts are made “practical” by… Standards - that are universal, open to interpretation, and applicable in any situation - These standards are accomplished by taking Actions - made “measurable” by… Indicators - that allow direct observation and comparison against a baseline situation that may be either quantitative, qualitative, or process-based. - These are further clarified and related to context by… Guidance notes - that highlight conextual factors, current arguments, gaps, and dilemmas.

Advocate for rights and protection of affected populations Use indicators and actions to plan immediate humanitarian aid Use standards to guide immediate assessment Code-of-conduct (HC) and Protection Principles to guide humanitarian response in the midst of political discussion (humanity, impartiality) Follow people-centred approaches to achieve humanitarian aims Determine type and amount of humanitarian assistance required Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards--- So what?

Humanitarian Charter and Protection Principles - rights based approach Standards and indicators- experience- -based approach 1 set of common standards 4 technical chapters YOUR BOOK Your notes and tabs

Getting ready... The Humanitarian Charter…p. 20 The Protection Principles.....p. 33 The Core Standards p. 55 The Code of Conduct……....p. 370 Acronyms ……………………p. 377 The index………………...…..p. 382 Find and mark these sections in your book with a tab to help you in your future work using Sphere :