CHS-certified by HQAI
We are certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability by the independent auditing body HQAI.
Our certification objectively demonstrates that we comply with the requirements of the CHS. It means that we put affected populations at the centre of our programmes, include their feedback and opinions in our work and create programmes based on the needs of people.
The process to achieve certification has been very helpful, building on our culture of learning and continuous improvement in the way we respond to humanitarian and development challenges. Christian Aid now has a clearer understanding of where systems, policies and practices are strong and effective, and where further improvements are needed.
Christian Aid has received certification against the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS). We received the certification after a thorough process where the auditors from HQAI - the certification body - interviewed more than 40 people, ranging from management at head office to local staff, as well as people from the communities we work with. The CHS certification assures that Christian Aid is compliant with the Commitments of the CHS and lives up to the standards expected from us.
Over several weeks HQAI auditors cross-checked whether the CHS Commitments of our organisation are correctly and consistently applied from our Head Office to the field. The audit implied a thorough process of document checks, reviews of practices as well as interviews with staff, vulnerable communities and other local stakeholders. A detailed audit report summarises the findings and will help us improve. The entire process was an excellent opportunity to put the CHS at the forefront in the entire organisation and realign our activities and procedures accordingly.