What is a core belief underlying the Sphere Project?

The choice that affected individuals have a right to assistance reflects a core belief of the Sphere Project, which emphasizes the importance of human dignity and rights in humanitarian response. This principle is rooted in the recognition that individuals affected by disasters are entitled to receive assistance that meets their basic needs and ensures their well-being. The Sphere Project is built upon the idea that humanitarian aid should be based on the understanding that those impacted have both rights and responsibilities, and they should be treated with respect and not merely as beneficiaries.

This perspective marks a shift from viewing aid as charity to seeing it as a fundamental right. It encourages humanitarian actors to prioritize the needs of communities and individuals who are vulnerable and ensures that they are included in the planning and implementation of assistance efforts. By focusing on the right to assistance, the Sphere Project aims to promote accountability and improve the quality of humanitarian responses.

Other options suggest different approaches or philosophies which do not align with the central tenets of the Sphere Project. For example, the notion of top-down disaster management undermines the collaborative and participatory aspect of humanitarian efforts that the Sphere Project advocates. Similarly, prioritizing immediate relief over long-term recovery or suggesting that volunteers should lead all efforts overlooks the systematic and structured approach necessary for effective humanitarian response, which includes