Humanitarian Guidelines and Systems → Sphere Core Standards

Sphere Core Standards

How to use the Sphere standards

The Core Standards and minimum standards adopt the following specific format:

1. Standards – set out general and universal statements specifying the minimum levels to be attained in humanitarian response. They include:

• Core Standards – applicable in all aspects of humanitarian response
• minimum standards – covering four areas of life-saving activity: water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion; food security and nutrition; shelter, settlement and non-food items; and health action

2.  Key actions  set out the inputs and practical activities needed to attain the minimum standards. They should be adapted as needed to the emergency and country context, including the living conditions of surrounding communities.

3. Key indicators  act as ‘signals’ to show whether a standard has been attained:

• they help measure and communicate the results of key actions;
• they relate to the minimum standards, not the key actions.

4. Guidance notes

• highlight context-specific points to consider when aiming to reach the key actions and indicators e.g. existing national standards;
• provide guidance on tackling practical difficulties or benchmarks and advice on priorities or cross-cutting themes (see side panel);
• include critical issues related to standards, actions or indicators and describe dilemmas, controversies or gaps in current knowledge.
   

Core Standards - applicable to all aspects of response

These comprise the ‘process’ and ‘people’ standards relevant to the planning and implementation phases of humanitarian response in all technical sectors.

1. People-centred humanitarian response 

How are you ensuring balanced representation of community and other stakeholders?
With whom and how are decision made and information shared, and what means of communication and redress are in place for community concerns or complaints?  

2. Coordination and collaboration 

What information are you sharing and how are you contributing to coordination mechanisms and measures? What are the opportunities for collaborative action? 

3. Assessment 

How are you determining the extent of existing capacity and coping strategies?
How and with or from whom can you most effectively establish a reliable assessment of the evolving emergency situation and changing needs?  

4. Design and response 

How are you prioritising the most urgent needs, risks, vulnerabilities that cannot be addressed by the state or affected population? Are your plans equitable and impartial? 

5. Performance, transparency and learning 

How are you monitoring the performance, effectiveness and outcomes of your programmes? How is accountability being assured and programme changes made as needed? How is learning being captured, shared and applied in the future? 

6. Aid worker performance  

How are staff with appropriate competencies being recruited and managed? What personal and professional support is provided and how is performance assured?