Codes of Conduct, Quality Standards

The Sphere Project was set up in 1997 to develop a set of universal minimum standards in core areas (water supply & sanitation, nutrition, food aid, shelter & site planning and health services) of humanitarian assistance. There is now a Handbook, designed to be used as a tool, as well as training material and case studies (from pilot agencies) online.

People in Aid 'Promoting best practice in the management and support of aid personnel'. Website gives an overview of their Code, plus resources & publications available, including Health & Safety Courses, Insurance. 56-64 Leonard Street London, EC2A 4LT, phone 020 7065 0900, email: info@peopleinaid.org

Ombudsman Project Unfortunately, can no longer find this on Oneworld web site. Various agencies, meeting in Geneva March 2000, agreed that 'there was a clear need to improve accountability to those affected by disaster and conflict. The project should thus aim to provide an independent mechanism which has a primary focus on listening to, and representing, the voice of intended beneficiaries and the affected population.'

Code of Conduct for The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

BOND’s Quality Standards Group helps NGOs develop practical ways of managing the quality of their work.

Training

There appears to be no shortage, but it is still being developed and improved.

RedR# Run a training prgramme for relief workers.

BOND (British Overseas NGOs for Development) is looking to facilitate the provision of learning and training events as well as providing its own programme.

People in Aid - see above re health and safety training.

Training offered by Reuters Foundation and others on issues related to Relief work are listed on AlertNet.

The large organisations, such as VSO, Oxfam, run their own in-house courses which may also be available to partner agencies.

INTRAC (International NGO Training and Research Centre) run a variety of courses in Oxford and London, such as capacity building, supporting Southern advocacy, building organisational relationships.

Internet and Information Technologies

including Open Source (Foss/Floss).

Development Informatics Various studies on issues such as Information Management Strategy Formation in Northern Development NGOs. From Institute for Development Policy and Management at Manchester University.

International Open Source Network, part of UNDP, covers Free/Open Source Software for Asia/Pacific to help bridge digital divide. Includes Humanitarian section.

Sahana is a FOSS disaster management system that handles missing/displaced persons, camp management, assistance trading system, etc during a disaster situation

Spider The Swedish Program for Information and Communication Technology in Developing Regions.

Other Resources

Aid Workers Network Practical advice for aid workers by aid workers. The Exchange weekly email bulletin has a good take-up and useful info.

Changing Ideas "helps photographers and charities turn humanitarian ideas into reality".

Fahamu makes electronic information available to support progressive social change in the South - includes distance learning materials for human rights and humanitarian organisations. CD-ROMs and online versions of resources such as Writing for Change on effective writing skills.

Fritz Institute (American) is about strengthening the infrastructures of humanitarian relief organizations.

International HIV/Aids Alliance. Their toolkit for assessing and building capacities for high quality responses to HIV/AIDS should be worth a look.

MANGO has some good links.

Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland.

networklearning is aimed at making resources available to NGOS working in development or humanitarian fields.

Institute of Development Studies (Sussex). Their web site also hosts "a number of innovative information and knowledge management services".

Project Management for Development Organizations is what you might expect from such a name.