Srinagar, April 14 (Scoop News) – Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon today launched the 2011 Edition of Sphere Handbook on Minimum Standards for Humanitarian Response. The Handbook was globally released in 14 countries all over the world and in India it was simultaneously released in 15 States including J&K. The Handbook was launched at Delhi by Krishna Tirath, Minister of State, Women & Child Development, Government of India, at the India Habitat Centre.
The launching function was organized jointly by Divisional Administration, Kashmir in collaboration with J&K IMPA at Srinagar . The programme was attended by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mehraj Ahmed Kakroo, Additional DC Srinagar, Drug Controller Gupta, various Chief Engineers & Heads of Departments, Dy. Director IMPA, Ghulam Rasool Kumar Dy. Commandant Auxiliary Police, Dy. Controller Civil Defence and Dy. Chief Warden Civil Defence and Red Cross Volunteers & Civil Defence Wardens. Various Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and representatives from media, Dr. GM Dar, Associate Prof J&K IMPA and Aamir Ali, Coordinator Disaster Management & OSD with Div Com Kashmir also attended the programme.
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. It addresses emerging issues like climate change, disaster risk reduction, early recovery of services and livelihoods, cash transfers and civil-military relations. Understanding and supporting local responses to disasters such as the one in Japan and Haiti is a priority reflected in the latest Sphere Handbook, as is reinforcing the capacity of local actors.
The cornerstone of the Handbook is the Humanitarian Charter, which describes core principles that govern humanitarian action and asserts the rights of disaster-affected population to life with dignity, protection and assistance. For the new edition, the Humanitarian Charter has been re-written to offer clear language and strengthen linkage to the standards. The 2011 edition of Sphere Handbook is compiled in coordination with more than 650 experts from 300 organizations in 20 countries. The book also has contributions from UN agencies.
A series of Core and Minimum Standards are based on best practices in the sector. The Core Standards pertain to the planning and implementation phases of humanitarian response. The Minimum Standards deal with four sets of life-saving activities: water and sanitation; food security and nutrition; shelter and non-food items; and health. They have all been significantly revised in the new edition.
Natural calamities and conflicts often leave people in the need of aid and relief to sustain their lives. In recent past, we have seen this in many natural and manmade disasters. The devastating Earthquake of 2005, Floods in Kosi River in Bihar in 2008, Flash floods in Ladakh last year took a toll of many lives. People take shelter in relief camps during disasters. The humanitarian aid and relief workers are guided by the principle of Right to Life with Dignity during such situations and protect/assist affected people with minimum standards for food, water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter and health services. The Sphere Handbook is a unique initiative in that it provides the Minimum Standards for Humanitarian Response as a basic guideline to the governments and the humanitarian organizations across the world.
Expressing views on the latest Sphere Handbook, Div Com said “The Sphere Standards have been prepared scientifically and are the benchmark for ensuring effective humanitarian assistance to people in need around the world. It is a life line for humanitarian aid workers and organizations and will improve the quality of humanitarian assistance to survivors of disasters and conflicts”. He further said that the State Disaster Management Policy is being prepared in collaboration with IMPA and NIDM. He stressed on preparation of District Disaster Management Plans. He also appreciates the work of Fire Services, Health Deptt, PHE, Electric Deptt, R&B and Police in Disaster Management. He called upon the NGOs and Government agencies to form a platform where proper coordination takes place. The forum could be called Inter Agency Group (IAG). He assured full support for formation of the IAG.
Earlier Deputy Commissioner Srinagar spoke about the vulnerability of Srinagar city to various disasters especially Earthquakes. He asked concerned agencies to conduct Vulnerability mapping of the city. He suggested that a Core group should be formed that explains in detail the Minimum standards to students. He suggested that the Handbook should be made part of the 10+2 curriculum. Dr Nighat presented vote of thanks.
The Sphere Project was created globally by a group of humanitarian non-governmental organizations and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Since its first trial edition in 1998, the Sphere Handbook has been translated into more than 40 languages, becoming the most widely known and internationally recognized set of standards for humanitarian response. Sphere India is a National coalition of Humanitarian Agencies in India. Initiated in India in 2003, as a country pilot of Sphere Project in India, Sphere India gradually evolved through a process of consultation and consensus to provide institutional space and processes of collaboration to promote quality and accountability in Humanitarian action in India. It envisions to build a safer and disaster resilient India by promoting quality and accountability in humanitarian action through a principle based inclusive process of collaboration of all humanitarian actors including Government Agencies, UN agencies, Red Cross, International, National and local NGOs, CBOs and communities.