An illustration of four people represents the four ways of accessing Humanitarian Standards Partnership (HSP) content. One person is using a computer which has a sphere on the screen. One person is using their phone. One person has a pile of books. The last person is taking a sheet of paper from a printer.

Humanitarian Standards Partnership

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Handbooks

All Humanitarian Standards Partnership (HSP) handbooks are available for free – in multiple languages – as downloadable PDFs, online via the Interactive Handbook, and on your phone using the HSP App.

Some HSP handbooks – those with “Buy” buttons below – are available for sale as printed books. To otherwise acquire printed copies or print copies for yourself, please contact the corresponding HSP partners.

A photo-realistic mock-up of two printed Sphere Handbooks in Lingala, a language of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response

The Sphere Handbook includes the HSP foundation texts and technical standards covering Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (WASH); Nutrition and Food security; Shelter and Settlement; and Health. Printed Sphere Handbooks are for sale in at least 15 languages. Visit Sphere’s buy page for ordering information. Some language versions are available from more than one distributor.

A photo-realistic mock-up of a printed English “Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action” handbook.

Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS)

The CPMS handbook equips humanitarians seeking to protect children effectively with the most comprehensive and up-to-date best practice so they can deliver professional programs. The CPMS handbook is for sale in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

An image of the front cover of the “Humanitarian inclusion standards for older people and people with disabilities” handbook.

Humanitarian inclusion standards for older people and people with disabilities (HIS)

The HIS handbook sets out essential actions that humanitarian actors must take in order to effectively identify and respond to the needs and rights of older persons and persons with disabilities who are most at risk of being left behind in humanitarian settings.

An image of the front cover of the “Minimum standard for market analysis (MISMA)” booklet (2023 updated edition), including the title and a photograph of a mother and child shopping for tomatoes.

Minimum Standard for Market Analysis (MISMA)

The objective of the MISMA is to guide the work of humanitarian practitioners across sectors and to ensure that, irrespective of the tool used, the key standard of market analysis is being met.

An image of the front cover of the “Minimum standards for camp management” handbook (2021 edition), featuring a photo of a very large tree with with a horde of people gathered under it.

Minimum Standards for Camp Management (MSCM)

The MSCM handbook describes the minimum actions needed to support meaningful engagement within a site as well as planning and coordination between sectors and agencies. The handbook aims to clarify the role of any site management agency working on a daily basis in humanitarian settings and to set out minimum levels of quality for that work.

An image of the front cover of the “Minimum standards for education: Preparedness, Response, Recovery” handbook, including the title and a collage of six photos showing children in different learning environments.

Minimum Standards for Education: Preparedness, Response, Recovery

The Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) Minimum Standards for Education handbook aims to improve the quality of education preparedness, response, and recovery; to increase access to safe and relevant learning opportunities; and to ensure that the actors who provide these services are held accountable.

A photo-realistic mock-up of a printed English “Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS)” handbook.

Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS)

The LEGS handbook provides standards and guidance for livestock-based emergency response, covering livestock feed, water, veterinary support, livestock shelter, livestock offtake, and provision of livestock, supported by participatory tools for emergency response planning.

The LEGS handbook 3rd edition (2023) is for sale in English, Arabic, French and Spanish.

A photo-realistic mock-up of a printed English “Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS)” handbook, including the title and a photo of a market stall where a woman is trading some cash for a bag of beans.

Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS)

The MERS handbook offers tools for humanitarian agencies, inter-governmental
organizations, local populations and government departments to enhance the effectiveness and quality of the economic assistance offered, and thus make a significant difference in the lives of the people affected by disasters. The MERS handbook is for sale in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

A photo-realistic mock-up of a printed English SEADS handbook, including the words

Standards for Supporting Crop-related Livelihoods in Emergencies (SEADS)

The SEADS handbook provides international principles and minimum standards that support people responding to a humanitarian crisis to design, implement, and evaluate crop-related crisis responses.