Concern Worldwide Becomes the First Indigenous Irish Organisation to Receive Certification from the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP) Achievement is “recognition of a commitment to excellence,” says Paul O’Brien, Overseas Director, Concern.
Dublin, Ireland – 29 June 2010 - Concern Worldwide, Ireland’s leading humanitarian agency, has become the first indigenous Irish organisation to receive certification from the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP). HAP certification highlights the fact that Concern applies the highest international standards in all of its work with beneficiaries in the countries where the aid agency works. Furthermore, Concern specifically applies these HAP Standards to both humanitarian (emergency) and development work, providing assurance to disaster survivors, staff, volunteers, host authorities and donors that the agency will deliver the best humanitarian service possible in each situation. The certification from the Geneva-based organisation is an independent verification of high standards in transparency and excellence in management. Concern joined HAP in 2008, when an initial audit of the organisation was conducted. Since then, Concern has endeavoured to reach ever-higher standards in its work and consistently ensures that the aid agency and its partners are ultimately answerable to beneficiaries of their work. A second audit was undertaken by HAP officials during February and March 2010 at Concern Head Office in Dublin and at programme sites in Bangladesh, as well as by submitting self-assessments from 16 other programme sites in developing countries, following which certification was granted. The HAP Standard in Humanitarian Accountability and Quality Management certificate which Concern has now received is valid until 2013, at which time Concern will re-apply to the body for re-certification. Paul O’Brien, Concern’s Overseas Director, states that the certification is “recognition of a commitment to excellence throughout the organisation. In a time when the principle of being open and transparent is given utmost importance, I am delighted we can highlight our ongoing commitment to improving and strengthening our accountability towards all stakeholders of Concern. This is similar to ISO 9000 certification in the business world.”
1
According to the HAP report, “The auditors were extremely impressed with the dedication and experience of the staff and recommend that Concern Worldwide has achieved a sufficient level of compliance against the HAP Standard.” The public can receive regular updates online through the Concern website, www.concern.net and follow Concern on Twitter at http://www.concern.net/twitter.
ENDS
Contact: Communications Department, Dublin: 01-417 7700
Note for Editors: Concern Worldwide is an international, non-governmental, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. About HAP International: Established in 2003, HAP International is the humanitarian sector's first international selfregulatory body. Members of HAP are committed to meeting the highest standards of accountability and quality management. In addition, HAP certifies those members that comply with the HAP Standard in Humanitarian Accountability and Quality Management, providing assurance to disaster survivors, staff, volunteers, host authorities and donors that the agency will deliver the best humanitarian service possible in each situation. The quality-assurance audit undertaken for HAP certification consists of a sample testing process that incorporates; an examination of documentary evidence, interviews with staff both at Head Office and at a selected programme site, interviews of aid beneficiaries and partners, and direct observation of common practices. This material is then combined with summary self-assessment analyses that are submitted by staff who are based internationally. To find out more on HAP International membership and certification visit www.hapinternational.org .
2
