Sphere has recently updated its Interactive Handbook, making it quicker and easier to browse and access its content.
New features allow users to browse the Handbook in multiple languages, access additional sets of standards, filter and share search results and embed the Handbook into other websites. This improved platform is an essential resource for humanitarian practitioners looking for guidance across all phases of preparedness and response.
Users have the option of browsing the Interactive Handbook in English, Arabic, French and Spanish. The Handbook is currently being translated into ten more languages, expected to be added to the platform in the coming months. Japanese is due to be the first addition later in 2019.
The online platform now also includes the Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS) Handbook, also available in English, Arabic, French and Spanish. More sets of standards should be added in the coming months.
The search tool now lets users search by keyword, chapter or content type across the Sphere Handbook only, the MERS Handbook only, or both.
Users can also share links to content, including search results, simply by copying and pasting the page’s URL.
Tech-savvy users and programmers will be happy to know that the Interactive Handbook search function is also available as an Application Programming Interface (API). In other words, it can now be embedded in any website. Interested? Contact learning@spherestandards.org to request a free API key.
Other features will be added later this year to allow users to add comments to content and share their experiences of working with humanitarian standards. The Sphere Handbook also continues to be available in hard copy, as a PDF file and via Sphere’s mobile app.