the human right to water and sanitation in emergency situations

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indicators and constitutes a framework for disaster response in each of the four mentioned areas.
Whilst primarily designed for use in disaster response, the Sphere Handbook may also be useful in disaster
preparedness and humanitarian advocacy. It is applicable to a range of situations where relief is required,
including natural disasters as well as armed conflict. It is intended for use in both slow- and rapid-onset
situations, in both rural and urban environments, in developing and developed countries, anywhere in the
world. The emphasis throughout is on meeting the urgent survival needs of people affected by disaster,
whilst asserting their basic human right to life with dignity.
BoX 16 - Indonesia and the Sphere Standards 96
The Sphere Standards are constantly referred to by the humanitarian community and are increasingly
recognized in more official milieus. This is clearly demonstrated in Indonesia where,
for example, the Indonesian Society for Disaster Management (MBPI) adopted them as a frame
of reference during advocacy for the country’s national disaster management legislative reform.
Founded in 2003, the MPBI on the one hand embodies recognition of Indonesia’s high risk of
disaster rate, and on the other the country’s inadequate disaster management system that reveals
gaps in coordination largely due to the lack of basic policies. The MPBI led the preparation of and
then coordinated advocacy for new national disaster management legislation. The reform sought
to promote a shift from intuitive disaster response to a more coherent and “rights-based” disaster
management paradigm, encompassing, among others, policy reform, public offices’ and private
sector’s accountability, public awareness-raising and education, and last, but not least, enhancement
of managerial competence and technical skills.
The Sphere Handbook has been translated into Indonesian and its publication has gone into a
third printing. Advocacy missions to government ministries and other relevant agencies are organized.
A series of Sphere training and training of trainers programmes have also been organized.
The Humanitarian Charter and Sphere Standards have broadly inspired the disaster management
legislative reform that resulted in the ratification of a new Disaster Management Law.
12.2.2. The Humanitarian Charter and minimum standards
The cornerstone of the handbook is the Humanitarian Charter, which is based on the principles and
provisions of International Humanitarian Law, international human rights law, refugee law and the Code
of Conduct 97 . The Charter describes the core principles that govern humanitarian action and reasserts
the right of populations affected by disaster, whether natural or man-made (including armed conflict), to
protection and assistance. It also reasserts the right of disaster-affected populations to a life with dignity.
The Charter calls attention to the legal responsibilities of States and warring parties to guarantee the right
to protection and assistance. When the relevant authorities are unable and/or unwilling to fulfil their responsibilities,
they are obliged to allow humanitarian organizations to provide humanitarian assistance and
protection. According to the Humanitarian Charter, “humanitarian agencies committed to this charter and
to the Minimum Standards will aim to achieve defined levels of service for people affected by calamity or
armed conflicts and to promote the observance of fundamental humanitarians’ principles”. 98
Together with the Humanitarian Charter, some minimum standards and key indicators have been developed
with the assistance of a broad network of practitioners in each of the four sectors. Most of the
96/ This box has been prepared with the cooperation and support of Dr. Puji Pujiono, Member of MPBI Governing Board.
97Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations in
Disaster Relief, 1994
98/ The Sphere Project, Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (2004), p. 16
© ACF - THE HUMAN RIGHT TO WATER AND SANITATION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS