The Sphere handbook is a tool that helps humanitarian workers convert the principles and values of the Humanitarian Charter into action.
The Sphere handbook is one way to translate humanitarian principles and values into practical action and common operational principles and standards. It’s important to note that the handbook does not represent the complete range of technical standards in existence, but rather only those where the humanitarian community reached a consensus.
The handbook is divided into seven main sections, shown in the diagram here.
The technical chapters offer tools to apply the values and principles of the Humanitarian Charter in the basic life-sustaining sectors.
These sectors are:
- water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion
- food security, nutrition and food aid
- shelter, settlement and non-food items
- health services.
Now we are going to look in more detail at the relationship of:
- standards
- key indicators
- guidance notes