MICAD conducts 'introduction to Sphere Project' training workshop

Ministry of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD) has concluded recently the events of "Introduction to Sphere: Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response" training workshop, with the aim of enhancing the UAE's donors capacity to respond to international emergencies. The Sphere Project is a voluntary initiative that brings together a wide range of humanitarian agencies around a common aim - improve the quality of assistance to people affected by disasters and the accountability of humanitarian actors to their constituents, donors and affected populations. The workshop was conducted, over three days, in Al Raha Beach Hotel, Abu Dhabi, with participation of 25 participants from 11 UAE donor organizations. In this regard, Hazza Al Qahtani, Undersecretary of Ministry of International Cooperation and Development, said in his keynote speech in the workshop that Ministry of International Cooperation and Development aims, through conducting these regular workshops, to enhance the UAE's donors capacities to provide effective response and rapid intervention in all emergencies; which in return promote and raise the UAE's profile in responding to the global emergencies at the international level and alleviate the consequences to the affected people, referring to the constant communication between MICAD and all UAE humanitarian and charity organizations about the best international practices in responding to emergencies and enhancing the quality of the provided humanitarian aid. He added that UAE has attained an advanced position, and is playing a vital role in alleviating the suffering in the humanitarian crises, thanks to the constant readiness of the humanitarian organizations, which indicates the importance of pursuing the exerted efforts to apply the best practices and international standards to maintain this readiness. This is translated through conducting these workshops to highlight and introduce the importance of Sphere Project. As this Project can help improving the quality of the aid provided to the affected people in crises. The workshop agenda included introduction to Sphere Project, Humanitarian Charter and Code of Conduct, the minimum standards of Sphere Project: (Protection, the Basic Standards, Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion, Food Security and Nutrition, Shelter and Settlement, Non-Food Items, and Health Action), in addition to Sphere in practice.