CWS-Asia/Pacific is committed to the principles of the Sphere Project and the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP), two initiatives that were set up to improve quality and performance and increase accountability in humanitarian action. We work closely with CWS-Pakistan/Afghanistan office, which is the regional partner of the Sphere Project and HAP, to deliver quality and accountability training in the region.
 
CWS-Asia/Pacific is also a member of People in Aid, a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to improving organizational effectiveness within the humanitarian and development sector.

CWS-Asia/Pacific supports the collaborative efforts of The Sphere Project, HAP International and People in Aid, which are working together to formulate a common vision for developing and reporting on global standards.
 
 

 
 
The Sphere Project was established upon two core beliefs: first, those affected by disaster or conflict have a right to life with dignity (and therefore a right to assistance) and, second, that all possible steps should be taken to alleviate human suffering arising out of disaster or conflict.

CWS-Asia/Pacific endeavors to adhere to and follow the Sphere Core Standards, which put the people we are assisting at the center of our humanitarian response, as well as its Humanitarian Charter. We also endeavour to uphold the Sphere Protection Principles, which include:

-      Avoid exposing people to further harm as a result of our actions

-      Ensure people’s access to impartial assistance

-      Protect people from physical and psychological harm due to violence or coercion

-      Assist with rights claims, access to remedies and recovery from abuse

Download the 2011 edition of The Sphere Project Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response.

 
 
 

 
 
 
HAP, the humanitarian sector’s first international self-regulatory body, was set up with a vision of a humanitarian system championing the rights and the dignity of disaster survivors. It has developed a set of principles of accountability, which summarize core elements of good practice in accountability in humanitarian situations. CWS-Asia/Pacific endeavors to adhere to and integrate these principles into the design, implementation and adaptation of its programs.

The HAP principles are captured in The HAP Standard in Accountability and Quality Management. The result of an extensive review process that involved wide consultation with different stakeholders, including crisis-affected communities, aid workers and donors, this is a practical and measurable tool that represents a broad consensus of what matters most in humanitarian action.

Download the 2010 edition of The HAP Standard.
 
 
 

 
 

People in Aid was established in 1995 to advocate, support and recognize good practice in the management of people. It does so through a mixture of services and outputs including research, publications, workshops, conferences, interactive forums, benchmarking, audit and certification, networking and advocacy.

It offers these, as the sector’s established hub for people-related issues, to all individuals and organisations working in the sector.

People in Aid is focused on the practical aspects of leadership development in the field, making sure that the relevant training is delivered where it is needed most. It has the reputation and experience of implementing programs globally, and its certification process – The Code of Good Practice – has become the “ISO standard” within the humanitarian and development sector.

Download The Code of Good Practice in the management and support of aid personnel.