From the unparalleled consultative process which nurtured the revision of the Handbook to the growth of its global community, many achievements marked 2017 as an important year in Sphere's history. 2017 represented the first year of Sphere’s operations as an independent organization. Since 2016, the Sphere Project has transitioned from a time-limited initiative to more fully develop its global role as a convening platform for quality and accountability in the humanitarian sector.

Facing a host of natural hazards and recurring emergencies, both Chile and the Philippines have recently taken steps to embed the Sphere standards into national regulations on emergency response.

Six humanitarian standards bearers announce the launch of a joint mobile application.

From its establishment as a non-profit association to laying the groundwork for the revision of its Handbook to the growth of its network of practitioners, a series of achievements have marked 2016 as an extremely fruitful year for Sphere.

The most significant development of the year was the establishment of Sphere as a non-profit association, transitioning from its history as a hosted project under the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and later the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA).

The revised Sphere standards will provide clearer, better integrated and more practical guidelines on gender and humanitarian action.

By Mireia Cano Viñas ()*