SPHERE

and
Core Humanitarian
Standard (CHS)
 What is SPHERE?
The Sphere Project, now known as Sphere, was created
in 1997 by a group of humanitarian non-governmental
organizations and the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement. Its aim was to improve the quality of their
humanitarian responses and to be accountable for
their actions. The Sphere philosophy is based on two
core beliefs:
1. People affected by disaster or conflict have the right
to life with dignity and, therefore, the right to
assistance;
2. All possible steps should be taken to alleviate human
suffering arising out of disaster or conflict.
Sphere standards
Sphere Standards 2018 (fourth edition)
 Core Humanitarian Standards on
Quality and Accountability (CHS)
CHS is a voluntary code that describes the
essential elements of principled, accountable
and quality humanitarian action. It sets out
nine commitments that organizations and
individuals involved in humanitarian response
may use to improve the quality and
effectiveness of the assistance they provide.
What is the Core Humanitarian Standard
(CHS)?
• Published in December 2014;

• Replaces the 2010 HAP

Standard, the People in Aid
Code of Good Practice.

• To be used as a basis for

verification of performance in
Quality & Accountability, using
a specific framework and
associated indicators.
 The Structure of the CHS differs slightly from that of the
other Sphere standards
• The Commitments (9) states what communities and people affected by crisis can
expect from organization and individuals delivering humanitarian assistance.
• The Quality Criterion describes a situation where the Commitment is met and
how humanitarian organization and staff should be working to meet the
Commitment.
• Performance indicators measure progress in meeting the Commitment, drive
learning and improvement and allow for comparison across time and location.
• Key actions and Organizational responsibilities describe what staff should
deliver and the policies, processes and systems that organizations need to have in
place to ensure their staff provide high-quality, accountable humanitarian
assistance.
• Guidance notes support the key actions and organizational responsibilities with
examples and additional information.
 What is the structure of the CHS?

Nine Commitments
Each CHS commitment has:
i. Quality Criteria (performance
Indicators)

ii. Key Actions to be undertaken in

order to fulfil the Commitments
iii. Organizational Responsibilities
to support the consistent and
systematic implementation of the
Key Actions throughout the
organization
 The Nine CHS Commitments
A. Quality of the response
1) Relevant and 2) Efficient and in time 3) Enforcing local
appropriate capacities – do no harm

B. Structure of projects and response, including accountability

4) Communication, 5) Complaints 6) Coordination and
participation, feed-back mechanisms complementarity

C. The organization and its resources

7) Learning and 8) Competent and well- 9) effective, efficient and
continuous improvement managed staff ethical use of available
resources
A. The Quality of the Response
1) Relevant and 2) Efficient and in 3) Strengthening local
appropriate time capacities – do no harm
CHS Commitment 1:

Communities and
people affected by
crisis receive
assistance
appropriate and
relevant to their
needs.
A. The Quality of the Response
1) Relevant and 2) Efficient and timely 3) Strengthening local
appropriate capacities – do no harm

CHS Commitment 2:

Communities and
people affected by
crisis have access to
the humanitarian
assistance they need
at the right time.
A. The Quality of the Response
1) Relevant and 2) Efficient and in 3) Strengthening local
appropriate time capacities – do no harm

CHS Commitment 3:
Communities and
people affected by
crisis are not
negatively affected and
are more prepared,
resilient and less at-
risk as a result of
humanitarian action.
B. Structure of Projects and Response
4) Communication, 5) Complaints 6) Coordination and
participation, feed-back mechanisms complementarity

CHS Commitment 4:
Communities and people
affected by crisis know
their rights and
entitlements, have
access to information
and participate in
decisions that affect
them.
B. Structure of Projects and Response
4) Communication, 5) Complaints 6) Coordination and
participation, feed-back complementarity
mechanisms
CHS Commitment 5:
Communities and
people affected by
crisis have access to
safe and responsive
mechanisms to handle
complaints.
B. Structure of Projects and Response
4) Communication, 5) Complaints 6) Coordination and
participation, feed-back mechanisms complementarity

CHS Commitment 6:

Communities and
people affected by
crisis receive
coordinated,
complementary
assistance.
C. The Organization and its Resources
7) Learning and 8) Competent and well- 9) effective, efficient and
continuous managed staff ethical use of available
improvement resources

CHS Commitment 7:

Communities and people

affected by crisis can
expect delivery of improved
assistance as
organizations learn from
experience and reflection.
C. The Organization and its Resources
7) Learning and 8) Competent and 9) effective, efficient and
continuous improvement well-managed staff ethical use of available
resources

CHS Commitment 8:

Communities and people

affected by crisis receive
the assistance they
require from competent
and well-managed staff
and volunteers.
C. The Organization and its Resources
7) Learning and 8) Competent and 9) effective, efficient
continuous improvement well-managed staff and ethical use of
available resources
CHS Commitment 9:

Communities and people

affected by crisis can expect
that the organizations
assisting them are managing
resources effectively,
efficiently and ethically.
Commitments, Actions and Responsibilities (CAR) of CHS

Commitments & Performance Indicators Key actions &

Quality Criterion organizational
responsibilities
1 3 6
2 3 7
3 3 8
4 4 7
5 3 7
6 4 6
7 3 6
8 4 9
9 4 6
The 9 Commitments and Quality Criterion
The 9 Commitments and Quality Criterion
The 9 Commitments and Quality Criterion
Communities and people affected by crisis receive assistance appropriate
to their need (QC: Humanitarian response is appropriate and relevant)
 Key message

Accountability
to Affected
People (AAP)

Protection
from Sexual
People
Exploitation
Management
& Abuse
(PSEA)