Consultative Workshop: Reviewing and contextualization of humanitarian standards for safe centers

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) initiated the development of appropriate humanitarian standards, following the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response, international standard (“SPHERE”) as a guiding principle to reaffirm the importance of developing humanitarian standards catering to the needs of the disaster-affected population. The initial work commenced in 2021 and has witnessed substantial progression, owing to the support extended by the nominated representatives of various organizations.

DMC together with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) has organized a workshop to document a suitable framework and contextualize appropriate humanitarian standards in a Sri Lankan context as the next phase of the initiative. The key focus of this workshop would be on developing the draft humanitarian standards relevant to aspects such as gender, age, disability, and essential needs such as medical/health, water, sanitation, hygiene, etc. which would satisfy the basic rights of persons affected by disasters. The key objectives include:

• reviewing the SPHERE standards in depth. Different sectors will be reviewed by relevant sector specialists and practitioners.
• identifying the possible sections to be contextualized and revise the standards accordingly and prepare a draft humanitarian standards relevant to aspects such as gender, age, disability, and essential needs such as medical/health, water, sanitation, hygiene, etc. which would satisfy the basic rights of persons affected by disasters.

Cover Photo by Freepik.