“I am delighted to share that Action For Humanity has officially received HQAI certification for compliance with the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) today. This is a major milestone, demonstrating our commitment to accountability, quality, and continuous improvement in humanitarian action.”

Othman Moqbel
Global CEO, Action For Humanity

 
For over a decade, Action For Humanity has been working tirelessly to provide life-saving aid and deliver sustainable development programmes to those in need in more than 14 countries across the world, reaching over 13 million people. Our mission is a statement and a lifeline for vulnerable communities, helping them survive, rebuild, and recover. 

Now, for the first time, we are proud to announce that Action For Humanity is one of only six UK-based charities certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), a rigorous global standard for humanitarian work audited by the Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative (HQAI). 

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A testament to our rigorous standards and the people we serve 

This certification is a testament to the rigorous standards we have upheld against a backdrop of tragedies for millions of people worldwide. At the heart of our organisation is the people that we serve, and quality and accountability are central to the work that we do.

By achieving CHS certification, our organisation gains a significant advantage and brings several key benefits, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality humanitarian action and robust internal systems. It assures our stakeholders, donors, and partners of our transparency, ethics, and alignment with global best practices, enhancing our credibility and trustworthiness.

Quality and Accountability are at the heart of our activities, and this 4-year process will help us assess and ensure the quality of our work, reduce the risk of mistakes and continuously improve our services – for the benefit of Action For Humanity and, not least, the people we work for.

What is the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS)? 

The Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS) is a certification given to humanitarian organisations that uphold a set of core commitments that improve the quality and effectiveness of the organisation’s work. Certification against the CHS is the most robust independent audit in the humanitarian sector.

The CHS sets out nine commitments to ensure that organisations support people and communities affected by crisis and vulnerability in ways that respect their rights and dignity and promote their primary role in finding solutions to the crises they face.

What are the Nine CHS Commitments?

The Nine Commitments state that people and communities in crisis and vulnerability…

1. Can exercise their rights and participate in actions and decisions that affect them.

2. Access timely and effective support in accordance with their specific needs and priorities. 

3. Are better prepared and more resilient to potential crises.

4. Access support that does not cause harm to people or the environment.

5. Can safely report concerns and complaints and get them addressed.

6. Access coordinated and complementary support.

7. Access support that is continually adapted and improved based on feedback and learning.

8. Interact with staff and volunteers who are respectful, competent, and well-managed.

9. Can expect that resources are managed ethically and responsibly.

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Why is it essential that Action For Humanity is CHS-approved?

Currently, Action For Humanity is one of only six UK-based charities to have been certified against the prestigious CHS. We believe that being CHS-approved aligns with the values that form the foundation of our organisation. 

We are delighted to begin our journey as a CHS-approved organisation. We are committed to providing the highest quality standard to the communities at the heart of our work.

Being CHS-approved also makes us a prestigious CHS Alliance member. Together with other member organisations worldwide, including UNICEF and Oxfam, we strive to continue raising the standard of humanitarian and development aid.

How does certification affect my donation?

When you donate to Action For Humanity, two things affect your donation that set us apart: 

1. Your donation goes towards best-in-class humanitarian development projects.
   
   

2. Your donation is put towards programmes and an organisation that is rigorously audited against the Core Humanitarian Standard to ensure that the quality of our work does justice to your generous donations. 

The due diligence that is carried out using the Core Humanitarian Standard solidifies our commitment to quality service to the millions of vulnerable people we serve around the world and our donors.

What are the benefits of being CHS-approved?

Stronger Accountability & Credibility

CHS certification is more than just a recognition. It reinforces our unwavering commitment to putting communities at the heart of our work. It ensures that their needs, rights, and voices are heard and guides our actions. This certification also strengthens trust with donors, partners, and stakeholders, assuring them that we operate transparently, ethically, and in line with global best practices.

Streamlined Donor Processes

Many institutional donors, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), now recognise CHS certification as a mark of high-quality humanitarian action and robust internal systems. With this certification, we are exempt from undergoing separate FCDO due diligence processes, making funding applications smoother and reducing administrative burdens, allowing us to focus more on delivering impact where it matters most.

Enhanced Organisational Learning

The CHS framework encourages continuous improvement and a culture of learning. Through this process, we have gained valuable insights into our strengths and areas for growth, enabling us to refine our approaches, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and adopt best practices across our operations. By embedding CHS principles in our work, we can ensure that we remain responsive, adaptable, and committed to excellence.

Global Recognition

CHS certification aligns us with internationally recognised humanitarian standards, placing us among a network of leading organisations prioritising quality, accountability, and effectiveness. This enhances our credibility on the global stage, making it easier to collaborate with partners, secure funding, and expand our impact. It also ensures that our programmes meet the highest ethical and professional humanitarian work benchmarks.

We are Independently Audited

HQAI auditors measured whether we make continuous progress in applying our CHS Commitments. The audit included a thorough process of document checks, reviews of practices, and interviews with staff, affected communities, and other local stakeholders. 

A detailed audit report (LINK) summarises the findings and will help us improve. The entire process was an excellent opportunity to put the CHS at the forefront of the entire organisation and realign our activities and procedures accordingly. Independent quality assurance is a 4-year cycle and requires that the most serious weaknesses in the application of the CHS are eliminated within that period. We are committed to making the most out of this solid process for the benefit of affected populations.