ISLAMABAD, September 11, 2026: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) hosted a stakeholder dialogue on the Sphere standards at its headquarters in Islamabad, bringing together humanitarian organisations and other stakeholders to discuss ways to improve the quality, effectiveness and accountability of disaster response in Pakistan.
The dialogue was organised in collaboration with the Centre for Social Welfare and Action (CSWA) and the Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN).
The consultation focused on key humanitarian principles, including dignity, quality and accountability, and explored how internationally recognised humanitarian standards can be better applied to support communities affected by disasters.
Participants discussed regional coordination practices, localisation and national ownership, as well as the role of innovation and technology in improving accountability and strengthening the practical application of humanitarian standards at the community level.
A key feature of the dialogue was the “Voices from the Ground” plenary session, during which representatives of international and local non-governmental organisations shared field experiences and highlighted practical challenges and gaps encountered during disaster response operations.
The discussions also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on lessons from field-level implementation and identify areas that could contribute to the future development and evolution of Sphere standards.
The dialogue underscored the importance of strong coordination between government institutions and humanitarian organisations, along with locally informed approaches that place the dignity, needs and rights of disaster-affected communities at the centre of response efforts.
The NDMA-hosted consultation marked an important step towards strengthening collaboration among humanitarian stakeholders and promoting more effective, accountable and dignified disaster response in Pakistan.
