Bangla Sphere Handbook launched to strengthen humanitarian response

The Bangla edition of the Sphere Handbook was launched in Dhaka on Saturday to help frontline workers apply internationally recognised standards for quality, accountability and dignity in humanitarian response.

Speakers at the launch said people affected by disasters had the right to receive humanitarian assistance with dignity, while humanitarian organisations were responsible for ensuring that their responses met global standards.

Sphere Community Bangladesh, COAST Foundation and Disaster Forum jointly organised the event, according to a press release.

The handbook brings together the Humanitarian Charter, Protection Principles, the Core Humanitarian Standard and minimum standards for health; water, sanitation and hygiene; food security and nutrition; and shelter and settlement.

The organisers said the Bangla edition would help frontline workers and humanitarian practitioners better understand and apply the standards, improving the quality, accountability and effectiveness of humanitarian operations.

Razwanur Rahman, Director General of the Department of Disaster Management under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, attended the event as chief guest.

Carol Flore-Smereczniak, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh; Juliette Murekeyisoni, Deputy Representative of UNHCR in Bangladesh; and Netai Chandra Dey Sarkar, Director (MIM) at the Directorate of Disaster Management, attended as special guests.

Razwanur Rahman said applying humanitarian standards and translating the Sphere Handbook were important steps towards incorporating the standards into the government's standard operating procedures.

Carol Flore-Smereczniak emphasised the need to move from "paper to practice" to ensure that people received timely and dignified assistance. Juliette Murekeyisoni said localising the handbook would help promote accountability and inclusion.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of COAST Foundation said the handbook would be used to align humanitarian responses with global standards.

Zunaira Shams of the Sphere Secretariat in Geneva underscored the importance of including persons with disabilities in humanitarian standards, while Tooba Siddiqi, Regional Sphere Focal for Asia, called for advocacy to promote the localisation of Sphere standards.

Takeshi Komino of the Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network said disaster-affected people should know their rights and entitlements so that they could hold humanitarian actors accountable.

Kobita Bose of Plan International Bangladesh called for an action plan and clear division of responsibilities to improve the implementation of Sphere standards across the country. Tahmina Haque of NGO Platform Cox's Bazar emphasised their wider application in the Rohingya humanitarian response.

Other speakers included Md Zahid Rahim of the Health Cluster; Mainul Hossain Rony of the Food Security Cluster; Mehedi Hasan Shishir of IFRC; Moyeen Uddin Ahmed of CARE Bangladesh; Rabeya Begum of SDS; Mosheur Rahman of ESDO; Shamasuzzaman of Islamic Relief Bangladesh; Syed Shahrear Shabab of IOM; Sumon Ahsanul Islam of INSIGHTS; AKM Jasim Uddin of ADAB; Sheuly Sharma of Jago Nari; Antara Tithi of Save the Children; Koushik Ahmed of CONCERN; Sharif Al Kamal of Friendship; and Roushon Ali of NAHAB.

Disaster experts MA Halim, Shashanka Saadi and Dipu Mahmud also attended the programme.

Md Iqbal Uddin moderated the event, while Gawher Nayeem Wahra, Member Secretary of Disaster Forum, chaired the session.

Sphere Community Bangladesh serves as a platform for promoting Sphere standards and advancing quality and accountability in humanitarian action across Bangladesh.