Fourth Edition of Sphere Project Handbook Emphasising Disaster Management released

The fourth edition of a handbook put together by the Sphere Project to guiding relief agencies involved in protecting rights of people affected by disasters was released on 14 April 2011. The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response was released by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member Major-General J. K. Bansal during the three-day “Collaborative learning and advocacy programme hosted by Sphere India. The handbook was 14 countries across the globe and in 15 Indian states.

The last edition of the Sphere handbook was released in 2004.

The revisions included in the fourth edition were worked upon over a period of two years, in consultation with those carrying out relief work in disaster affected areas. The quality of relief work emerged as a common concern from these consultations. The latest edition of Sphere Handbook was compiled in coordination with 650 experts from 300 organisations in 20 countries. The book also includes significant contributions from United Nations agencies.

The 2011 edition of Sphere Handbook incorporates a new chapter, Protection Principles which considers the protection and safety of population affected by disaster or armed conflict as an integral part of humanitarian response. Emerging issues like climate change, disaster risk reduction, early recovery of services and livelihood, cash transfers and civil-military relations were addressed.

Understanding of and supporting local responses to disasters such as the recent earthquake in Japan was dealt with urgency in the latest Sphere Handbook. It reinforced the capacity of local agencies.

The NDMA is currently formulating national guidelines for food, water, hygiene, sanitation and medical cover during disasters. The Sphere Handbook is one of its kind book for professionals and organisations working in this field.

The handbook is intended to help government and non-government organisations working in the field of disaster management, academic institutions involved in disaster management studies and human rights agencies.

Sphere India is a national coalition of humanitarian agencies in India that works in collaboration with government agencies, UN agencies, Red Cross, international, national and local NGOs and communities. GDFR works for promotion of sustainable disaster reduction through knowledge and skills.