They are more than just standards. They got a mission and a vision that would greatly contribute to human prosperity. SPHERE standards are not only rules. They should be a lifestyle, for they hold an importance on the well-being of a human. Established in 1997, the Sphere project became a leading supporter of humanitarian standards grounded in rights, evidence and best practice, and promoting quality and accountability in humanitarian response at field level. As LOST is SPHERE’s focal point in Lebanon, sharing these standards with the staff working in WASH, Health, Youth, Innovation Lab, and Education sectors is prominent to attain the project’s goal. For this purpose, a training was held on Tuesday, May 16th, 2017, where new members from each sector attended the training, delivered by Assem Chraif.
The core beliefs of SPEHRE reflects its humanitarian aspect, primarily where they believe that those affected by disaster or conflict have a right with dignity. Therefore, they have a right for assistance, and all possible steps should be taken to alleviate human suffering arising out of disaster or conflict. SPHERE minimum standards are adopted by LOST for it being its focal point and also having intersections with most of the active sectors: Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion, Food Security and Nutrition, and Health Action. As part of LOST’s mandate, making these standards a core knowledge among the working teams in such projects is indispensable so that these standards can be translated from ideas into actions. Chraif elaborated more about the strategy followed by SPHERE during 2020, which sets about to transform SPHERE from a project into a vigorous, deeply connected network of practitioners and organizations, which will act as a global catalyst for humanitarian quality and accountability.
LOST believes that disseminating these standards to other local and international actors will contribute to enhancing SPHERE’s target. LOST’s vision has much to do with SPHERE’s. Promoting the dignity of a human being is the ultimate goal that everyone is seeking to achieve. Once a human being is safe, the surrounding environment will be safe as well. SPHERE standards will ensure that each person gets a decent lifestyle and a decent environment to live in.
