About HQAI
An independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to raising the bar for accountability in humanitarian action.
Our Story
The Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative (HQAI) — formally registered as Association Initiative Assurance Qualité Humanitaire — was established in Geneva, Switzerland in 2015.
Our creation was a direct response to the development of the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS), which launched in 2014 by merging two predecessor standards — the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP) Standard and the People In Aid Code. The CHS Alliance was formed in 2015 to steward the standard; HQAI was created in parallel to provide the independent auditing function that gives the standard its credibility.
Since 2015, we have conducted hundreds of audits across more than 70 organisations in over 40 countries — from large international NGOs to small national organisations in the Global South.
Our offices are in Ch. de Balexert 7, Châtelaine, Geneva 1219, Switzerland.
Mission & Values
Independence
HQAI is structurally and financially independent from the organisations it audits, from standard-setting bodies, and from donors. Our audit decisions are made by an independent Certification Committee — separated entirely from the audit team.
Rigour
Our audits are evidence-based, standardised, and conducted by trained professionals. We do not issue certificates to organisations that do not meet the standard. The credibility of our certificates depends on saying no when no is the right answer.
People-Centred
At the heart of the CHS — and at the heart of our audits — are the people affected by humanitarian crises. We speak directly to communities during field audits, not only to management. Their voice is evidence, not a formality.
Secretariat Team
A small, Geneva-based team supported by a global network of registered auditors.
Sophie Evans
Martin Kowalski
Aisha Farouk
Thomas Ritter
In addition to the Secretariat, HQAI works with a global network of over 30 registered, trained auditors with field experience across humanitarian contexts.
Governance & Accountability
We hold ourselves to the same standards we apply to others. HQAI publishes its annual reports, financial statements, and audit statistics publicly.
General Assembly
HQAI’s General Assembly is its supreme governing body, comprising representatives from the humanitarian sector. It meets annually to approve accounts, elect the Board, and set strategic direction.
Board of Directors
The Board oversees HQAI’s strategic management and financial stewardship. Board members serve in a voluntary capacity and are drawn from the humanitarian, audit, and governance sectors.
Advisory & Complaints Board
An independent body that handles complaints about HQAI’s own audit processes and provides guidance on sensitive or complex certification decisions — including appeals by audited organisations.
Strategic Partners
Organisations that share our commitment to raising standards in humanitarian action.