Sphere

Minimum Standards –
Health in Emergencies

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Sensitization workshop of Medical Officers
What is Sphere
• The Sphere was initiated in 1997 by a group of
humanitarian NGOs and IFRC. Aim was to
improve the quality of actions during disaster
response and to be held accountable for them.
• Two core beliefs:
– Those affected by disaster have a right to life with
dignity and, therefore, a right to assistance;
– All possible steps should be taken to alleviate
human suffering arising out of disaster or conflict.
Framed Humanitarian Charter and Minimum
Standards in Humanitarian Response.

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Sensitization workshop of Medical Officers
• Minimum standards cover four sectors:
1. Water supply, sanitation & hygiene promotion;
2. Food security and nutrition;
3. Shelter, settlement and non-food items;
4. Health
• It has the minimum standard – followed by
a series of key actions, key indicators and
guidance notes.

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Public Health Care in Disasters
• Primary goal of humanitarian response is to prevent
and reduce excess mortality and morbidity.
• Maintain the crude mortality rate (CMR) and under-5
mortality rate (U5MR) at, or reduce to, less than
double the baseline rate documented for the
population prior to the disaster.
By
Providing essential health services, including
preventive and curative interventions that are
effective in reducing health risks.

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Sensitization workshop of Medical
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• Essential health services are priority health
interventions that are effective in addressing
major causes of excess mortality and morbidity.
• Better response can be achieved through better
preparedness.
• Preparedness should be based on an analysis of
risks.

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Sensitization workshop of Medical Officers
Preparedness includes:
• Contingency planning,
• Stockpiling of equipment and supplies,
• Establishment and/or maintenance of emergency
services and stand-by arrangements,
• Information management and coordination
arrangements,
• Personnel training,
• Community-level planning,
• Drills and exercises.
So as to ensure that health facilities remain
functional even during disasters.

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Sensitization workshop of Medical
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Minimum Standards

These are qualitative in nature and specify

the minimum levels to be attained in the
provision of health services.

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Sensitization workshop of Medical
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Key Actions

• Suggestive practical actions to attain the

minimum standard.
• Some actions may not be applicable in all
contexts,
• It is up to the practitioner to select the
relevant actions and devise alternative
actions that will result in the standard
being met.
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Sensitization workshop of Medical
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Key Indicators

• These are ‘signals’ that show whether the

standard has been attained.
• They provide a way of measuring and
communicating the impact, or result, of
programmes as well as the process, or
methods, used.
• The indicators may be qualitative or
quantitative
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Sensitization workshop of Medical
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Guidance Notes

• Include specific points to consider when

applying standard, key actions and
indicators in different situations, guidance
on tackling practical difficulties, and advice
on priority issues.
• Also include critical issues relating to
standard or actions or indicators, and
describe dilemmas or gaps in current
knowledge.
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Sensitization workshop of Medical
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 Thanks

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Sensitization workshop of Medical
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