1. What is Sphere and why is it important?
Sphere Project Module 1

2. “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood”. UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS( 10 Dec 1948) (ARTICLE 1)
Sphere Project Module 1

3. What is Sphere Sphere handbook, Page 5
Having recorded your understanding on Sphere, Please refer to Page 5 of Sphere handbook and read the highlighted extract on What is Sphere.
Sphere handbook, Page 5

4. What is Sphere Core Beliefs 2. Sphere Handbook 1. Sphere Process
Sphere is based on two core beliefs. ( Mouse over and click for relevant part)
Sphere is three things:
A body of knowledge, the core of which is Sphere handbook;
A broad process of c collaboration to distill the experiences of global humanitarian community into the Sphere body of knowledge;
And an expression of commitment to quality and accountability of humanitarian work.
Please take the cursor over the components to find out what it contains and click to study the components in detail.
( four objects on the screen, mouse over each component runs a small movie, click over each component takes the control to respective file)
1. Sphere Process
3. Expression of Commitment
Quality
Accountability

5. Sphere India: A process of Collaboration
NCHA (National Coalition of Humanitarian Agencies in India)
44 Member Agencies and 13 State Level IAGs
Geo Hazards International
World Vision India
CDMASS
ACTED
Goal India
OXFAM
Action Aid
VASUDEVA
ADRA
Tear Fund
IAEM
IGSSS
Welthungerhilfe
CASA
WHO
EHA
Biswa
VASUDEVA
ESAF
EFICOR
Sphere India
Project Concern International
AIDMI
CARITAS INDIA
Care India
UNFPA
Dan Church Aid
IRCS
CARE India
Heifer International
CISF
Discipleship Centre
UNICEF
Christian Aid
VANI
UNDP
Seeds India
Lutheran World Service India
Concern World wide
Plan International (India)
IFRC
Child Fund India
LWF
Grassroots Trust
National Institute of Disaster Management, GoI
Save the Children Bal Raksha Bharat

6. Humanitarian Assistance ?

7. Sphere Project Module 1

8. Rights-based approach
Before:
Today
People have “needs”
People have rights
We help because we are “charitable”
We help because we have a legal obligation
Charity is an “option”
Legal obligations are not
Give what you can
Give according to standards which are based on rights/HRL/IHL/RL instruments

9. Example milestones in humanitarianism
460 B.C.
Hippocrates
1000 A.D.
Order of Malta
1350
Plague
1700
Public health knowledge increases human life span
Solferino 1859
Red Cross
1919 WW1
Save the Children League of Nations
1945 WWII
UN Charter CARE Oxfam LWF IRC
1948/9
Geneva Conventions UDHR
1951
Refugee Convention & UNHCR
1969 Biafra
MSF
1976
International Bill of Rights ratified
1989
Cold War ends
1998
Guiding Principals on IDPs Sphere
1984
Ethiopian Famine
1994
Rwanda genocide, RC/RC Code of Conduct
Sphere Project Module 1

10. What is Sphere Handbook….
Sphere Project Module 1

11. Commitment towards quality and accountability Process of collaboration
Knowledge
The handbook
<On click next> Now have a look at these videos “ Introduction to Sphere “ and add to your notes about your understanding on sphere. Click next button when finished.
Time 12 minutes.
Commitment towards quality and accountability
Process of collaboration

12. Tools to put principles and values into action
Introduction What is Sphere?
2004 Edition
The Code of Conduct
The Humanitarian Charter
Standards common to all sectors
Each Chapter includes
Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion
• Minimum standards
Food Security, Nutrition and Food Aid
• Key indicators
Shelter, Settlement and Non-Food items
• Guidance notes
Health Services
Sphere Project Module 1

13. Extensive consultation
1997 Initial consultation
2000 handbook launched
2004 handbook revised edition
4000+
people
80 countries
around the world
400
organisations
Sphere Project Module 1

14. Main project activities
• Awareness raising
• Distributing the handbook and other tools
• Technical revisions of the handbook
• Training on how to apply the handbook
• Support to agencies
Sphere Project Module 1

15. Humanitarian Charter: Informed by international law
• Right to life with dignity - Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Civil, political, economic and social covenants - The Geneva Conventions - Convention against Torture - Rights of the Child
• The distinction between combatants and non-combatants - Geneva Conventions - Rights of the Child
The principal of non-refoulement
No refugee be sent back to a country where her life or freedom will be threatened on account of race, nationality, religion, political opinion/affiliation –if substantial grounds to believe she will be subjected to torture.
Sphere Project Module 1

16. What is a minimum standard?
The minimum level of service to be attained in humanitarian assistance
Water supply standard 1: Access and Water Quantity
All people have safe and equitable access to a sufficient quantity for drinking, cooking and personal and domestic hygiene. Public water points are sufficiently close to households to enable use of minimum water requirement
see page 63
Sphere Project Module 1

17. What are key indicators?
Signals that show whether a standard has been attained. They provide a way of measuring and communicating both the impact, or result, of programmes as well as the process, or methods, used. The indicators may be qualitative or quantitative.
Key indicators
A maximum of 20 people use each toilet
Use of toilets is arranged by household (s) and / or segregated by sex
Toilets are no more than 50 meters from dwellings
Toilets are used in the most hygienic way and children’s faeces are disposed of immediately and hygienically
see page 71
Sphere Project Module 1

18. What are guidance notes?
They disseminate experience, illuminate areas of controversy, and help use indicators properly in context
Guidance notes: “ General free food distribution may not be appropriate when;
adequate supplies of food are available in the area ( and the need is to address obstacles to access)
A localised lack of food availability can be addressed by support of marlet systems
Local attitudes or policies are against free food handouts
see page 121
Sphere Project Module 1

19. Standards, key indicators and guidance notes
Minimum standards
Key indicators
Guidance notes
Sphere Project Module 1

20. Aid worker’s competencies & responsibilities
Common Standards
Participation
Initial assessment
Response
Targeting
Monitoring
Evaluation
Aid worker’s competencies & responsibilities
Supervision, management & support of personnel
Sphere Project Module 1

21. In conclusion: Tools
Humanitarian Charter: • provides the framework to convert the appreciation of rights into action
Minimum standards: • provide standards to aspire to • enable planning
Key indicators: • provide signals to assess whether the standards have been met
Guidance notes: • provide information to help apply indicators in context
Sphere Project Module 1

22. www.sphereproject.org.in www.sphereindia.org.in
Resources on the web-site include:
• Handbook in different language
• Training material and trainer’s guide
• Case studies
• Lessons from institutionalising Sphere
• Annual reports
• Newsletters
• Other reference materials
Sphere Project Module 1

23. Sphere India Secretariat
Sphere India Building No. 3, Flat No. 302/3, Sona Apartments,
Kaushilya Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi (INDIA)
Phone: , 75; Fax:
Website:
Sphere Project Module 1