Disaster-affected people have the right to receive humanitarian assistance with dignity, and humanitarian actors must uphold globally recognized standards of quality and accountability. 

The Sphere Handbook brings together the Humanitarian Charter, Protection Principles, the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), and minimum standards for Health, WASH, Food Security and Nutrition, and Shelter and Settlement. The launch of its Bangla edition will enable frontline workers and humanitarian practitioners to understand better and apply these standards, strengthening the quality, accountability, and effectiveness of humanitarian response. Speakers highlighted these issues at the launch of the Bangla edition of the Sphere Handbook in Dhaka today. The event was organized by Sphere Community Bangladesh (SCB), COAST Foundation, and Disaster Forum. SCB serves as a platform to promote the Sphere standards and advance quality and accountability in humanitarian action across Bangladesh.

The Chief Guest was Razwanur Rahman, Director General of the Department of Disaster Management under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Special Guests included Carol Flore-Smereczniak, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Juliette Murekeyisoni, Deputy Representative of UNHCR in Bangladesh and Netai Chandra Dey Sarkar, Director (MIM), Directorate of Disaster Management. Md. Iqbal Uddin moderated the event while Gawher Nayeem Wahra, Member Secretary of Disaster Forum, chaired the session.

Distinguished guest speakers included Zunaira Shams from Sphere Secretariat in Geneva; Tooba Siddiqi, Regional Sphere Focal for Asia; Takeshi Komino from Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network; Md. Zahid Rahim from Health Cluster; Mainul Hossain Rony from Food Security Cluster; Rezaul Karim Chowdhury from COAST Foundation; Mehedi Hasan Shishir from IFRC; Moyeen Uddin Ahmed from CARE Bangladesh. Kobita Bose from Plan International Bangladesh; Tahmina Haque from NGO Platform Cox’s Bazar; Rabeya Begum from SDS; Mosheur Rahman for ESDO; Shamasuzzaman for Islamic Relief Bangladesh; Syed Shahrear Shabab from IOM; Sumon Ahsanul Islam from INSIGHTS; AKM Jasim Uddin from ADAB; Sheuly Sharma from Jago Nari; Disaster expert MA Halim, Shashanka Saadi, Dipu Mahmud; Antara Tithi from Save the Children; Koushik Ahmed from CONCERN; Sharif Al Kamal from Friendship; Roushon Ali from NAHAB;

Razwanur Rahman highlighted that applying humanitarian standards and translating the Sphere Handbook are key steps toward embedding these standards into government Standard Operating Procedures. Carol Flore-Smereczniak stressed moving from "paper to practice" to provide timely, dignified aid, while Juliette Murekeyisoni noted that localizing the handbook ensures accountability and inclusivity.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said we will use the handbook to ensure our response matches global standards. Zunaira Shams underscored inclusion of disability part in the standards. Tooba Siddiqi highlighted advocacy for the localization of the Sphere standards. Takeshi Komino said disaster-affected people should know their rights and entitlements; then they will be able to hold us accountable. We should follow the Sphere standards to let them know it. Kobita Bose said we should prioritize an action plan and share responsibilities for better implementation of the Sphere Standards across the country. Tahmina Haque emphasized wider application of these standards in the Rohingya response.