Strengthening the Sphere Focal Points network in Asia

The forum’s goal was to build and strengthen the network of Sphere Focal Points in Asia. In addition to existing Focal Points, organizations that may play a Focal Point role in the future also participated in the event.

CWS-P/A is a regional partner of the Sphere Project and, as such, promotes and assists Sphere-related initiatives in Asia.

The forum was an opportunity to seek input as to how CWS-P/A could add value to agencies that are new to Sphere as well as to those already actively promoting Sphere in their respective countries. Participants highlighted the challenges of the Focal Point system and provided valuable suggestions on how to improve it to the Sphere Secretariat.

The forum served as a platform for agencies to share their challenges and achievements in implementing the Sphere standards while looking at possible bilateral and regional collaborations. Opportunities for collaboration at country and regional levels were identified. More agencies are expected to join this network in the coming months.

The following organizations participated in the forum: Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (Sri Lanka), Disaster Forum (Bangladesh), Indonesian Society for Disaster Management (Indonesia), Korea NGO Council for Overseas Cooperation (South Korea), Lutheran World Relief (Philippines and USA), Nepal Christian Relief Services (Nepal), Network for Information, Response and Preparedness Activities on Disaster (Bangladesh), Norwegian Church Aid (Laos) and Sphere India (India).