Information Sheet

Moving Standards: The Sphere Mobile Unit

In order to further enhance the South Asian regions understanding of Sphere at the community, national, regional and global level, the Disaster Mitigation Institute (DMI) has undertaken creating a visual and interactive "Sphere Mobile Unit". Acting as an educational tool, the Unit will work to further generate ideas and related activities on Sphere.

The development of the Unit stemmed from a recurring recommendation that Sphere should be developed as a "user- friendly tool". In a most recent discussion during the Sphere Consolidation Expert Group Session, March 26, 2003, this was further stressed and as such the idea for the construction of the Unit was formulated. Some of the unique characteristics of the Unit is that it will be compact, easy use and transportable. This in turn will enable Sphere to be more accessible.

The Sphere Mobile Unit will focus on four key areas. Primarily, the general background of Sphere (how and why) Sphere came about will be shared with its viewers. The second flap of the standing Unit will provide Sphere professionals and communities with the crust of the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards. For example it will quote important areas of the Charter such as: "Humanitarian agencies committed to the Charter and the Minimum Standards will aim to achieve defined levels of service for the people affected by calamity or armed conflict and to promote the observance of fundamental humanitarian principles".

The third section will concentrate on DMI's work in terms of institutionalising and contextualising Sphere. A general list and description of these activities will also be provided so to increase and improve future important and needed Sphere activities. The final board will focus on future community based Sphere activities in order to ensure the people are able to hold agencies accountable. The Unit will be visually appealing, as it will include quick information and facts on Sphere. Significant sections have been dedicated to visuals, such as photographs, posters and pamphlets. Finally the boards will be interactive as they will include areas where comments, suggestions and experiences can be shared.

As this Unit is the first of its kind in South Asian region, DMI will seek inputs and suggestions on the Unit. As next steps, DMI also hopes to translate this English version into the local languages. Moreover, DMI hopes to further its aim of education by working to seek future partnerships and resources. (Paola Jani, Sphere Coordinator, Disaster Mitigation Institute)