They also urged the Government and NGOs to take emergency programs instantly to ensure the dignity, rights and security of the people affected by crises.
The seminar titled “Quality and Accountability in Humanitarian Response: HQAI Approach” was organized by Coast Trust was held at the capital’s BRAC Center Inn.
Pierre Hauselmann from the Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative, or HQAI, gave the keynote speech on assuring quality and accountability in humanitarian responses in the seminar.
HQAI, based in Geneva, is an independent audit organization that verifies the Core Humanitarian Standards-CHS in humanitarian response and issues certification worldwide.
Hauselmann expanded on CHS as a set of nine commitments that humanitarians can use as standards. HQAI has up to 90% subsidy option for conducting audit or small organizations can jointly apply for certification which will reduce the audit cost.
Sajid Raihan of Start Fund Bangladesh said there are many certification systems on standards but it would be good if one common standard is available and accepted by all.
Gowhar Nayeem Warha from Disaster Forum Bangladesh said one should consider the environment while conducting the audit on CHS 9 commitments.
Dr. Ehsanur Rahman said all NGOs are busy in the Cox’s Bazar Rohingya response, but should also be on the lookout for natural disasters in a country like Bangladesh.
Among others, Md. Harun-Or-Rashid Mollah, Additional Secretary of the Department of Disaster Management, Khadadad Hossain from NIRAPAD Network, Dr. Ehsanur Rahman from NAHAB, Kazi Sahidur Rahman from UNRC, Khodadad Hossain Sarker, Advisor from NIRAPAD, AKM Musa from CONCERN Worldwide, Seakeb Nabi from Christian Aid, KAM Morshed from BRAC, Gowhar Nayeem Warha and Sajid Raihan from Start Fund Bangladesh took part in the discussion moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury from COAST Trust.
Md. Harun-Or-Rashid opined about reduction of the audit fees so that more NGOs can come together under this certification. COAST Trust in cooperation with Sphere Community Bangladesh, NIRAPAD, NAHAB and Disaster Forum Bangladesh organized the seminar.