Piloting and Sharing

The history of Sphere in India and DMI's association with it can be divided into two:
1) Sphere Agency Piloting and
2) Sphere Country Piloting.

1) Sphere Agency piloting
In the Phase II (1998-2000) of the Sphere project 20 pilot agencies around the world committed to piloting the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards. Disaster Mitigation Institute was one of these piloting agencies. In the process of contextualising, institutionalising and operationalising the Sphere in India, DMI has initiated the following activities.

More information on National Capacity Building and Local Capacity Building will be found under the dedicated sections.

National Capacity Building

Local Capacity Building

• The Sphere Project: Handbook Revision Shelter and Site Planning Feedback Meeting —September 18, 2002 with focal point Catholic Relief Services.
• The Sphere Project: Food Security and Nutrition Standards Development: South Asia Consultation—December 16—17, 2002 with World Food Programme and focal point TUFTS University.
• The Sphere Project: Community and National Consultation Water and Sanitation—February 10—12, 2003 with focal point Oxfam GB.
• The Sphere Handbook Revision Process: Comments from India—May 31, 2003

• Sphere Handbook copies were shared with Tearfund and Concern after Gujarat Earthquake 2001.
• Sphere Handbook copies were shared with all Relief Commissioners in India.
• Presentation on "Introduction of Sphere and Minimum Standards for the Health Services" was provided by the Sphere Team during the training organised on "Epidemiological Response to Disaster Situation" on June 12, 2003. The training was organised by the Government of Gujarat to train district and state level health officials of the Gujarat State. This training was technically assisted by World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Atlanta, USA) and funded by European Union. The Humanitarian Charter, Introduction of Minimum Standards of the Sphere Project and Details of Health Services related standards were the main highlight of the presentation in Ahmedabad. (June 2003)
• Presentation on The Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response: Promoting Sphere in India during the Tenth National Course on Community Based Disaster Risk Management Oxford Brooks University - Disaster Mitigation Institute Lateral learning (Multi Hazard), January 7th to 17th 2003, Ahmedabad. Field level experiences were also shared during the field exercise. The course was organised for the students of Development Practice studying at the Oxford Brooks University. (January 2003)
• Presentation on The Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response: Promoting Sphere in India during the Eleventh National Course on Community Based Disaster Risk Management Cranfield University - Disaster Mitigation Institute Lateral learning (Multi Hazard), January 20th to February 5th 2003, Ahmedabad. Field level experiences were also shared during the field exercise. The course was organised for the Post-graduate students of Development Practice studying at the Cranfield University.

• Coordinated pilot agency meeting in Ahmedabad for The Sphere Implementation Team during their visit of October 19, 2001 which was attended by World Vision, Oxfam, DEC, IFRC, LWF, SAATH, IRC, Christian Aid and Disaster Mitigation Institute. DMI was recognised for its efforts to address Sphere through publication and trainings.
• DMI attended pilot agency meeting held on October 22, 2001. This was participated by ADRA, Oxfam GB, Care, CARITAS, CRS, IFRC, IRC, Christian Aid and Save the Children, UK. Progress of Sphere in India was the main highlight of this meeting.
• DMI arranged meeting with National Centre for Disaster Management (NCDM), New Delhi. Its planned that DMI will organise a training programme with NCDM on Sphere especially for government officers.
• The Sphere Inter-Agency Meeting in Ahmedabad: Promoting Sphere in India, November 20, 2002.
• The Sphere Inter-Agency Meeting in Kolkatta: Promoting Sphere in India, November 23, 2002.
• The Sphere Inter-Agency Meeting in Delhi: Promoting Sphere in India, November 27, 2002.

• Experience Sharing at The Sphere Project: Pilot Agency Representatives Meeting held on February 26—28,2001 at Cairo.
• Training of Trainers held on April 22—28, 2001 at Geneva was attended.
• Experience Sharing at The Sphere Project: Pilot Agency Representatives Meeting held on May 13—16, 2001 at Geneva.

• Copies of Experience Learning Series on Minimum Standards in Disaster Response: The Sphere Project were provided to BAPS (Bochasanwasi Aksharpurushotham Swaminarayan Sanstha), Ahmedabad and CECI (Canadian Centre for International Studies and Cooperation), Montreal, as reference material for their training programme on Sphere held on February 7, 2002 at Gandhinagar.
• Copies of Pocket Book Series on The Sphere Project Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (English) were shared with Oxfam Orissa as reference material for their workshop on Community Based Disaster Management and Gender Issues held on April 27—29, 2002 at Bhubaneshwar.

2) Sphere Country Piloting
In the Phase III of the Sphere project (2000-2003), country piloting follows the agency piloting. DMI is actively participating in the Sphere India Piloting Process by attending various inter-agency meetings and providing associated inputs to formulate a structure and execution plan for the Country Piloting Programme in India. DMI's own approach within the country piloting is to take Sphere to the community level.

• Working Group Meeting on
  December 20, 2002 at IFRC, New Delhi.
• Working Group Meeting on
  January 6, 2003 at IFRC, New Delhi.
• Country Piloting Inter Agency meeting on
  February 6, 2003 at IFRC, New Delhi.
• Country Piloting Sphere 1st Managing Committee Meeting on
  March 20, 2003 at UNOCHA, New Delhi.
• Sphere Country Piloting 2nd Managing Committee Meeting on
  March 27 2003 at UNOCHA, New Delhi.
• Sphere India Managing Committee Meeting on
  September 30, 2003 at EFFICOR, New Delhi.
• Sphere India Managing Committee Meeting on
  November 3, 2003 at Save the Children Fund UK - India office, New Delhi.
• Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment in Disasters Course on
  November 12 - 17, 2003, Bhubaneswar .