By Baptist Global Response communications
NASHVILLE — Baptist Global Response (BGR) has been accepted as an associate member of Sphere, a community of organizations committed to the highest standards of humanitarian response.
BGR Director of Disaster Response and Training Pat Melancon says with its inclusion in Sphere, BGR “joins other international organizations in affirming the need for ‘knowing what to do’ in a time of crisis to meet the survival needs of people.”
BGR began training as a Sphere organization in 2016. Now, as a member, BGR can actively help Sphere implement its policies on improving the quality and accountability of humanitarian aid.
Sphere was founded in 1997 under the conviction that people affected by disasters or conflict have the right to receive protection and assistance that ensures both quality of life and dignity. Sphere members created a set of minimum standards for humanitarian response in four areas: water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); food security and nutrition; shelter and settlement; and health.
According to Sphere’s website, the Sphere standards are the most widely recognized humanitarian standards around the world.
Melancon says Sphere recognized BGR’s commitment to upholding those standards in its response to disasters.
“Sphere wanted members who showed commitment to the training and worked to spread the minimum standards to be used in humanitarian crises,” he says.
“The membership…is a huge validation to the many years of hard work and proven track record of BGR and our disaster response approaches,” says BGR CEO Jeff Palmer. “This makes us better in our disaster response, our ability to train, equip, and lead others in disaster events, and even more credible to countries and governments we work with during a disaster.”
For more information on Sphere, its humanitarian standards and members, visit www.spherestandards.org.
For more information about BGR, visit www.gobgr.org.
