EU-FUNDED DISASTER PLATFORM PROJECT STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITY OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANSphere Standards Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response Training, 15-16 January 2025, Turkiye

EU-FUNDED DISASTER PLATFORM PROJECT
STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITY OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Sphere Standards Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response Training
🌍 Strengthening Disaster Risk Management – Together!
On 15–16 January 2025, we came together in Istanbul for the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards Training held within the scope of the EU-funded Sivil Toplum Geliştirme Merkezi (STGM) – Civil Society Development Center project, specifically designed for Disaster Platform member organizations.
The training was hosted by Hayata Destek / Support to Life and facilitated by Zeynep M. Sanduvac from Nirengi Derneği-Association, a founding member of the Afet Platformu-Disaster Platform.
🎯 Training Objectives:
· To introduce the structure and use of the Sphere Handbook
· To promote a shared humanitarian language among Disaster Platform members
· To encourage accountable, effective, and quality humanitarian response

📚 Training Topics Included:
· What is Sphere? Overview of the Handbook’s structure and use
· The Humanitarian Charter, Protection Principles, and Core Humanitarian Standard-CHS Alliance
· Sectoral standards: WASH, Food Security and Nutrition, Shelter and Settlement, Health
· Practical application through scenario-based group exercises
· Final test and feedback session
👥 Participant Reflections – Highlighted Feedback:
💡 “Understanding the Sphere Handbook helped us see how it can be applied in various areas – from project design and field-level sectoral implementation to MEAL and donor engagement.”
🤝 “Group exercises based on Kahramanmaraş Earthquake scenarios and interactive sessions deepened our practical learning.”
🗺️ “We gained tangible skills in planning, coordination, and humanitarian response in disaster settings.”
📌 Key Suggestions from Participants:
• Extend the training to three days to allow for more applied learning
• Include more simulations and case studies
• Add a preparatory session for Sphere terminology
• Provide advanced and sector-specific training opportunities
🎯 Enriched by strong field experience, the training was considered highly impactful and beneficial by participants.
📌💬 📌 Sphere is more than a set of standards — it is a shared humanitarian language and a collaborative framework for effective response.