Missionaries of the Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) participated in a cycle of training, which took place on Friday 13th, about the Sphere Handbook to expand its humanitarian know-how by learning more in depth the Sphere’s protocols and essential regulations at humanitarian responses.
The event was in the Colombian capital, Bogota, and was organized by the National IGMMF-Interagency Group on Mixed Migratory Flows, for the purpose of helping to qualify humanitarian assistants that are active in the integration and development of the Venezuelan immigrants that are in Colombia.
The purpose was to introduce the participants to what the Sphere Handbook is, its history, its principles and code of conduct, and how it can be used in a current situation. This Handbook contains ethical norms and protocols, technical and humanitarian standards, at an international level, for any response to catastrophes and crises occurring in anywhere in the world.
The missionary monk of the Fraternidade-International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF), Sister María del Calvário, says that within the context of the humanitarian response, the training of the active participants is essential for an intervention that is increasingly successful.
As a note, she adds that “to act in such delicate and often unstable situations demands technical knowledge, capacity for analysis, and quick response, which is crucial for alleviating the suffering of human beings that are going through crisis situations.”
Other international organizations also participated in the training, such as Bethany and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). In total, there were 20 people present.
Angélica Pina, a representative of the Norwegian Refugee Council, says that “it is fundamental that people who interact directly in conflict situations with humanitarian assistance are able to understand the principles of the Sphere Handbook in the best way possible, so that these can be applied with excellence in the vulnerable communities.”
By clicking here, you too can gain access to the Sphere Handbook in PDF.
Find out more about the activities carried out by the Colombia Mission.