Handbook launch shows vitality of Sphere India

“Humanitarian aid workers all over the world are engaged to reaffirm, recommit to the Humanitarian Charter [and] to protect the rights of people to ensure life with dignity for those affected in humanitarian crisis,” said Sphere India Chairperson M. N. Prusty at the launch of the Handbook in the Indian capital city New Delhi.

Sphere India is a national coalition of humanitarian organizations, including government and UN agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations and networks. Sphere India facilitates inter agency coordination, training and capacity building as well as collaborative advocacy.

Over the last eight years Sphere India has evolved into a “vibrant and inclusive humanitarian coalition,” said the Chair of the Sphere Board Ton van Zutphen in a letter acknowledging and congratulating Sphere India “for its efforts in taking the Sphere process forward” in the country.

Sphere India has contributed to the revision of the Handbook through a widely consultative process at the national level. It is also engaged in translating the Handbook 2011 edition in vernacular Indian languages. “There is a lot that can be learned from the experience gained by Sphere India,” van Zutphen said.

Speaking at the Delhi launch, Major Gen. J. K. Bansal, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority of India, expressed the appreciation of the government for the way in which Sphere India has brought key humanitarian stakeholders on a common platform for coordination and collaboration.

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For Rayappa Kancharla, Vice Chair of Sphere India, the challenge ahead is for the Sphere Handbook “to become alive.” For Kancharla, this challenge is best addressed through two key actions: personalization and localization. “Once you know it, this is a book of hope,” Kancharla added.

The Sphere Handbook Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response establishes shared principles and a set of universally acknowledged minimum standards in four life-saving areas of humanitarian response: water and sanitation, food, shelter and healthcare.

The cornerstone of the Handbook is the Humanitarian Charter, which describes core principles that govern humanitarian action and asserts the right of populations to life with dignity, protection and assistance. The minimum standards are a compilation of best practice in this sector and a practical expression of these core principles.

A full report of the Handbook launch in New Delhi can be downloaded here (PDF, 1.13 Mb) and a report of the other 14 Indian launch events can be downloaded here (PDF, 0.8Mb).