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Learning objectives

An intro duction to Sphere for military audiences Presenter Name, Affiliation Revised draft April 2008. Learning objectives. To describe what is the Sphere Project and why it is important To describe the difference between Minimum standards Key indicators Guidance notes

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Learning objectives

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  1. An introduction to Spherefor military audiencesPresenter Name, AffiliationRevised draft April 2008

  2. Learning objectives • To describe what is the Sphere Project and why it is important • To describe the difference between Minimum standards Key indicators Guidance notes • To examine some of the potential issues arising from armed forces taking on typically civilian roles • To look at some examples of Sphere in Practice

  3. What is Sphere? • Declaration that populations affected by conflictand calamity have a right to assistance • Commitment towards a defined and measurable level of competence and delivery • Distillation of current global knowledge and experience into a practical tool for:- individuals - their organisations - the humanitarian community • Challengeto all actors in the humanitarian community for increased accountabilityand quality

  4. Why Sphere? • NGO concern with quality and accountability• Historic practice no longer sufficient- Increasing complexity of disasters - Numbers of disasters increasing - Changing nature of humanitarian community - Increasing number of actorswith different measures of success

  5. Goal of Sphere Project ‘To improve the qualityof assistance provided to people affected by disasters, and improve the accountability of states and humanitarian agencies to their constituents, their donors and their beneficiaries’

  6. 1997 Initialconsultation 2000 handbook launched 2004 handbook revised edition Extensive consultation 4000+ people 80 countries around the world 400 organisations

  7. 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- Convention on the Status of Refugees - Convention against Torture- Rights of the Child

  8. The Code of Conduct for the International RC/RC Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief 1. The Humanitarian imperative comes first2. …Aid priorities are calculated on the basis of need alone3. Aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint4. We shall endeavour not to act as instruments of government foreign policy5. We shall respect culture and custom10. In our information, publicity and advertising activities, we shall recognize disaster victims as dignified humans, not hopeless objects

  9. The Humanitarian Charter The Humanitarian Charter HEAVY! Fine, but how do we move this thing?

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

  11. What is a minimum standard? The minimum level of service to be attained in humanitarian assistance Shelter and settlement standard N° 3 : covered living space People have sufficient covered floor space to provide dignified accommodation. Look at page 219

  12. 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 • The initial covered floor area per person is at least 3.5 square metres • The covered area enables safe separation and privacy between the sexes, between different age groups and between seperate families within a given household as required • Essential household activities can be carried out within the shelter • Look at page 219

  13. What are guidance notes? They disseminate experience, illuminate areas of controversy, and help use indicators properly in context Guidance notes “In cold climates, household activities typically take place within the covered area …A covered floor area in excess of 3.5 square metres per person will often be required to meet these considerations ...” “In the immediate aftermath of a disaster ... A covered area of less than 3.5 sq metres per person may be appropriate to save life and to provide adequate short-term shelter to the greatest number of people in need.” Look at page 219

  14. Applications • Strengthens advocacy • Measures performance • Enables coordination - more than 20 languages • Informs training curricula • Promotes participation • Evaluates policies and procedures

  15. Challenges - Multiplication of actors- Exclusivity of humanitarian action? - Security- Coordination- Blurring of the lines?

  16. Principles and Practice - Geneva Conventions/IHL?- Humanitarian Charter and Code of Conduct? -Impartial and needs- based? - Not act as instruments of government foreign policy or to further a particular political agenda? - ‘… avoid competing with other disaster response agencies for media coverage’

  17. Learning from experience: Pakistan, October 2005 onwards • ‘Sphere Resource people’ sent to Pakistan- Military, particularly Pakistan army, provided about 90% of initial assistance. Helped inform response: - Special short introductions on Sphere to particular groups including military - Translation of handbook into Urdu initiated - Longer-term Sphere support planned by host agency

  18. Broader Issues Arising • Natural disaster that struck a conflict-affected zone (Jammu and Kashmir)- Logistics needs (helicopters) outstripped the civilian market- Proximity of Coalition Forces in Afghanistan lead to quick deployment of resources- NATO and others made immediate pledges of assistance- Deployment of civil-military response teams

  19. Sphere Lessons from Pakistan • Military in Pakistan, as often elsewhere, positive about using Sphere: - Highlighted the reality that Sphere is and will continue to be used by the military - Poses challenges for Sphere, particularly in relation to the Humanitarian Charter- Essential differences between military involvement in natural disaster and conflict- related settings

  20. What is Sphere? • Declaration that populations affected by conflictand calamity have a right to assistance • Commitment towards a defined and measurable level of competence and delivery • Distillation of current global knowledge and experience into a practical tool for:- individuals - their organisations - the humanitarian community • Challengeto all actors in the humanitarian community for increased accountability and quality

  21. www.sphereproject.org Resources on the web-site include: • Handbook in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic • Training material and trainer’s guide • Case studies • Lessons from institutionalising Sphere • Annual reports • Newsletters

  22. Questions?

  23. www.sphereproject.org Contact:info@sphereproject.org

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