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An introduction to Spherefor military audiences

Presenter Name, Affiliation

Revised draft April 2008

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Learning objectives

•To describe what is the Sphere Project and why it is important

• To describe the difference between Minimum standardsKey indicatorsGuidance 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

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What is Sphere?

• Declaration that populations affected by conflict

and 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 • Challenge to all actors in the humanitarian community for increased accountability and quality

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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 actors with different measures of success

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‘To improve the quality of assistance provided to people affected by disasters, and improve the accountability of states and humanitarian agencies to their constituents, their donors and their beneficiaries’

Goal of Sphere Project

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Extensive consultation

4000+ people

400

organisations

80 countries around the world

2004 handbook

revised edition

1997 Initialconsultation

2000 handbook launched

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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

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The Code of Conduct for the International RC/RC Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief

1. The Humanitarian imperative comes first

2. …Aid priorities are calculated on the basis of need alone

3. Aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint

4. We shall endeavour not to act as instruments of government foreign policy

5. We shall respect culture and custom

10. In our information, publicity and advertising activities, we shall recognize disaster victims as dignified humans, not hopeless objects

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The Humanitarian Charter

The Humanitarian Charter

Fine, but how do we move this thing?

HEAVY!

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Tools to put principles and values into action

Each Chapter includes

• Minimum standards

IntroductionWhat is Sphere?

• Key indicators

• Guidance notes

The Code of Conduct

2004Edition

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

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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

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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

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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

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Applications

• Strengthens advocacy

• Measures performance

• Enables coordination - more than 20 languages

• Informs training curricula

• Promotes participation

• Evaluates policies and procedures

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Challenges

- Multiplication of actors

- Exclusivity of humanitarian action?

- Security

- Coordination

- Blurring of the lines?

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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’

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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

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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

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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

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What is Sphere?

• Declaration that populations affected by conflict

and 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 • Challenge to all actors in the humanitarian community for increased accountability and quality

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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

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Questions?

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www.sphereproject.org

Contact: info@sphereproject.org