In July 1997, the Sphere Project was launched by a group of humanitarian agencies. This project has developed a Humanitarian Charter and a set of universal minimum standards in core areas of humanitarian assistance: water supply & sanitation, nutrition, food aid, shelter & site planning and health services. The aim of the Project is to improve the quality of assistance provided to people affected by disasters, and to enhance the accountability of the humanitarian system in disaster response. Planning for the Next Drought: Ethiopia Case Study

This study reviews the major actions of the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), Food for Peace (FFP) Emergency and Development Programs, and the resident Mission, as well as plans and programs for longer term preparedness, prevention, and mitigation of food insecurity in the most vulnerable areas of Ethiopia. The 1999–2001 food crisis is analyzed in terms of the preparedness, actions, roles, and the emergency response capabilities of USAID and its partners, particularly the World Food Program (WFP), the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). This assessment is based on recent evaluations, Mission proposals, FY 2002 NGO development assistance programs (DAPs), interviews with persons in the United States and in Ethiopia, and selected documents. The report covers three areas: 1) partner capacities: areas of need in terms of preparedness for future disasters and specific, actionable recommendations for DCHA and other USAID resources that can be tapped to strengthen capacities now and in the future; 2) health and nutrition programming preparedness not currently addressed (including nutrition surveillance, nutrition indicators for early warning, partner training in monitoring and reporting, standardization among USAID partners, and recommendations for DCHA programming and other USAID resources to address these chronic problem areas); and 3) the USAID, donor, and host government policy