Every year, millions of people in crisis rely on humanitarian organisations for food, shelter, medical care, and protection. The quality of that support varies enormously — and affected communities often have little power to demand better. The Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) Certification exists to change that dynamic.
But what does "CHS Certified" actually mean? And how does HQAI's audit process work in practice? This article explains it in plain language.
The Nine Commitments
The Core Humanitarian Standard sets out nine commitments that humanitarian organisations should make to the people they serve. They cover everything from the relevance and quality of aid, to the safety of staff and communities, to the right of affected people to complain and receive a response.
These commitments are not aspirational statements — they are measurable standards, each with specific quality criteria and performance indicators. CHS Certification means an organisation has been independently verified to meet these criteria to a high degree.
What the Audit Involves
HQAI's certification audit is a rigorous, multi-stage process. It begins with a document review: we examine an organisation's policies, procedures, management systems, and internal data. We look for evidence that accountability is embedded in how the organisation actually operates — not just stated in a policy document.
Then comes the field phase. Our auditors travel to programme sites, sometimes in remote or insecure contexts, to observe operations directly. They conduct structured interviews with programme staff, management, partner organisations — and critically, with community members and people receiving assistance. Their voices are central to the audit.
Finally, we consolidate findings across all evidence sources. Where the evidence is strong, we note good practice. Where gaps exist, we make recommendations. And we publish the full report — every finding, every recommendation — publicly on our website.
What Sets Certification Apart
HQAI's certification is the most rigorous independent audit available in the humanitarian sector. Unlike self-assessments or donor compliance checks, it is conducted by trained external auditors with no relationship to the organisation being audited. Unlike peer reviews, it results in a public report that anyone can read.
That transparency matters. When an organisation can point to a published HQAI audit report, donors, partners, and affected communities can independently verify their accountability claims. "Trust us" becomes "check our record."
A Living Process, Not a Trophy
Certification is not a one-time achievement. It operates on a three-year cycle, with annual maintenance checks to ensure standards are maintained and recommendations are being acted upon. Organisations that are certified have committed to a continuous process of scrutiny and improvement.
That is precisely the point. Accountability to affected populations is not a project — it is a permanent commitment. Certification is the proof that an organisation is living up to it.
Interested in CHS Certification? Contact our team to discuss your organisation's readiness, or use our cost estimator to explore the investment involved.