Sphere India

In early 2006, SPHERE India in consultation with its member agencies launched an initiative to establish a system of unified response in humanitarian emergencies. UNICEF India, one of the lead member of Sphere India offered to support the concept design and piloting phase. The initiative is termed as the Unified Response Strategy (URS), and aims to develop mechanism, tools, capacities and protocols for information sharing, pre-positioning,

coordination and collaborated response in humanitarian emergencies. The initiative will be piloted in three states i.e. Assam , Bihar and Orissa. URS will complement and supplement the Government. relief efforts, legitimize NGO’s contribution and will help in supporting the principle of life with dignity for human beings in emergencies. Sphere-URS secretariat is currently based at Seeds India office in New Delhi, India.

Unified Response Strategy (URS)
	An inter-agency effort aiming to provide a prompt and effective response to humanitarian emergencies by ensuring comprehensive assessment, timely provision and equitable distribution of necessary relief items to the most affected and vulnerable populati

Collective and collaborated work in response
	Humanitarian agencies have a desire and a mandate to help the affected populations suffering from the natural or man-made disasters; however there are often many gaps in emergency response, lack of cohesive coordination is one of such major factors. During major humanitarian emergencies Sphere member organizations and other NGO’s formed interagency groups (IAG) and worked in close coordination. The positive impact of such coordinated work was widely appreciated that a need was felt to formalize such groups and work on improving humanitarian concerns across sectors at the state level even during the non-disaster period of the year.

Unified Response Strategy (URS)

Collective and collaborated work in response