The Sphere Handbook and Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Disaster Response describes the core principles that govern humanitarian action and asserts the right of populations to protection and assistance. The minimum standards and indicators that follow are not exclusive to Sphere. They are a compilation of best practice in the sector and a practical expression of these core principles. 

The initiative was launched in 1997 by a group of humanitarian NGOs and the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, who framed a Humanitarian Charter and identified Minimum Standards to be attained in disaster assistance, in each of five key sectors (water supply and sanitation, nutrition, food aid, shelter and health services). The 2011 Handbook edition consolidates the latest best practices in the sector while putting the affected population at the centre of humanitarian action. Understanding and supporting local responses to disaster is a priority, as reinforcing the capacities of local actors at all levels. It integrates also new emerging issues like disaster risk reduction, climate change, conflict sensitivity, urban settings, early recovery, education, etc. in addition to enhancing the linkages and coherence with other quality and accountability products such as the HAP Standard, the People in Aid Code and the INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies.

Available in multiple languages.

• Organization: Sphere Project
• Pages: 402
• Year of publication: 2018
• Copyright: © The Sphere Project 2018
• Url: https://spherestandards.org/handbook/editions/