Using the Sphere Standards in Urban Settings

The Sphere Handbook is one of the most widely known and internationally recognized sets of common principles and universal minimum standards for the delivery of quality humanitarian response. It reflects an integrated approach to humanitarian action which supports populations affected by disaster and crisis to survive and recover with dignity

This guide looks at understanding how Sphere may be contextualised to use in urban responses. It has been developed in answer to the realisation that humanitarian response in urban situations is substantially different from what it is in rural situations, and that the number and scale of urban humanitarian responses will continue to grow as more of the world’s population move to towns and cities.