right to an adequate standard of living61, and access to essential food and potable water, basic shelter and housing, appropriate clothing, and essential medical services and sanitation62, among others – provided by the UN secretary general on IDPs, the state and non-state authorities or actors related to the IDPs, and the intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations that are addressing internal displacement. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Framework on Durable Solutions for IDPs63, suggests that durable solutions can be achieved through sustainable reintegration or return to place of origin, sustainable local integration, and sustainable integration in another part of the country 64. It is designed to assist international and non-governmental actors to better support Governments dealing with humanitarian and development challenges resulting from internal displacement65. The key principles for durable solutions are: it is a primary responsibility of national authorities; access to humanitarian and development actors should be unimpeded; the needs, rights and legitimate interests of IDPs are the primary considerations; IDPS should be informed and given voluntary choices on what durable solutions to pursue; local integration or resettlement elsewhere do not constitute renunciation of future right of return; IDPs should not be encouraged or compelled to return or relocate where their safety, liberty or health would be at risk; and IDPs seeking durable solutions must not be subject to discrimination66. The Sphere Project, Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response (Sphere Minimum Standards) is the result of Sphere Project initiated by multiple humanitarian non-governmental organizations in 199767. The Sphere Minimum Standards identified four (4) key life-saving areas in humanitarian response during and after the disaster68. These areas are: (1) water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion; (2) food security and nutrition; (3) shelter, settlement and non-food items; (4) and health action. Through evidencebased and sector-wide consensus on best practice in humanitarian response the handbook outlines the minimum standards; which is followed by a series of key actions, key indicators, and guidance notes in every standards 69. Moreover, it is designed for planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation during humanitarian response. Particularly in a conflict driven situation, the Sphere Minimum Standards does not only reiterate the above guidelines, frameworks, and human rights treaties for the IDPs. It also provides specific guidelines at the rapid-onset of the disaster. Below are some minimum standards from the four (4) areas of the handbook: ● That displaced persons must have access to adequate, nutritious, and culturally sensitive food and drinking water, and that they must be free from hunger even during the times of their displacement;70 61 Ibid, Principle 18. 62 Ibid. 63 See: Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons. 64 This can be done when internally displaced persons no longer have any specific assistance and protection needs that are linked to their displacement and can enjoy their human rights without discrimination on account of their displacement. 65 The framework provides relevant legal principles, explanations of concepts, and indicators of good practices towards finding and achieving durable solutions in the local context. 66 Presented on 19 April 2016 by Fox, Graham at the IASC panel discussion. Available at https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/genevaiasc-events/documents/ppt-iasc-framework-durable-solutions-internally-displaced-persons [Accessed 21 August 2017] 67 See: The Sphere Project: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response 2011 68 “The Handbook does not offer practical guidance on how to provide certain services (the key actions suggest activities to reach a standard without specifying how to do that). Rather, it explains what needs to be in place in order to ensure a life with dignity for the affected population. It is, therefore, up to each implementing agency to choose a system to ensure conformance with the Sphere minimum standards. Some agencies have used purely internal mechanisms, while others have opted for peer review. Some agency networks have used Sphere to evaluate their collective response in particular emergencies” (The Sphere Project, 2011, p.8). 69 The handbook includes a ‘How to use the standards’ and provided with guidance on how to attain each standards. 70 See: The Sphere Project 2011. Specifically the Minimum Standards in Food Security and Nutrition 9