The Sphere Project - Toward the Critical Mass

The Sphere Project aims to improve the quality of humanitarian assistance as well as the accountability of states humanitarian agencies and donors to affected populations. The Sphere Project is based on the core beliefs that all possible steps should be taken to alleviate humanitarian suffering arising out of calamity and conflict and that those affected by disaster have the right to live with dignity and a right to assistance. The Sphere Handbook – Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Humanitarian Response – remains the key tool for the Project. The Handbook identifies minimum standards in key lifesaving sectors and best practices in humanitarian action. The key objectives for the Sphere Project are to: 1. Maintain the Handbook and strengthen capacities around it; 2. Advocate for a more practical adoption of the Sphere standards; and 3. Partner and network to achieve Sphere’s vision. With CIDA funding the Sphere Project’s main activities over the next year will include providing training on the Handbook developing e-learning tools to promote access to and understanding of Sphere materials and conducting knowledge sharing events.

Expected Outputs Include: Maintenance of the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (the Sphere Handbook); advocate for the adoption of Sphere standards in humanitarian programming; and partner and network to achieve Sphere’s vision of principled humanitarian action. Expected Immediate Outcomes Include: Increased awareness of the Sphere standards by the humanitarian community; and increased application of and adherence to Sphere standards by humanitarian actors on the ground.