Humanitarian standards now available on mobile devices

The new Humanitarian Standards Partnership (HSP) application provides the humanitarian sector’s flagship standards and guidance in a single, free-of-charge app. Designed for field practitioners providing humanitarian aid in disaster and conflict situations, the app works on- and off-line on mobile phones and tablets.

“We are delighted at the launch of this app, which will first and foremost support practitioners working in disaster zones with limited or no connectivity,” says Sphere Executive Director Christine Knudsen.

“This app is a proof of concept that coordinated action between standards-setting bodies allows us to influence humanitarian response for the better; we hope it will help build greater ownership by individuals, communities, and organisations,” she adds.

The HSPapp includes the Humanitarian Charter, the Protection Principles, the Core Humanitarian Standard and humanitarian standards for key areas of humanitarian response including: water supply, hygiene and sanitation; shelter and non-food items; food security and nutrition; health action; child protection; education; livestock management; market analysis and economic recovery.

“Two of the top strategic priorities for the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action are sector integration and localization,” says Audrey Bollier, coordinator for the Alliance. “The HSPapp will make the humanitarian standards, including those for child protection, more accessible to frontline workers and clarify our various interlinkages to immensely facilitate that work.”

All content in the app is available in English, with some standards also accessible in French and Spanish; other languages will be added progressively. The app is available for free from the Apple App Store, Google Play and soon also from the Microsoft Store.

“Having education standards paired on the same device with standards from other sectors is mutually reinforcing and adds value to all of them,” says Dean Brooks, Director of the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE).

“The INEE Minimum Standards for Education handbook is already the go-to guide for education aid workers around the world and the HSPapp makes it even easier for them to access this and other world-class tools,” he adds.

The HSPapp is a product developed by the Humanitarian Standards Partnership (HSP), whose members include the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (The Alliance); Cash Learning Partnership (CaLP); Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE); Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards Project (LEGS); Small Enterprise Education and Promotion Network (SEEP) and Sphere.

Founded on humanitarian principles and human rights, humanitarian standards help practitioners turn principles into action. Humanitarian standards outline what help and protection crisis-affected populations are entitled to and uphold their right to life with dignity. Developed by thousands of experts globally and based on evidence, experience, and learning, they are among the most recognised statements of accountability in humanitarian work.