> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://urd.gitbook.io/compass/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://urd.gitbook.io/compass/welcome-to-the-compass/the-chs-as-a-shared-language.md). # The CHS as a shared language ### **What do we mean by quality and accountability?** The humanitarian and development sector involves **diverse stakeholders**, each with different interpretations of quality and accountability. Donors seek assurance of proper fund usage, authorities aim to enhance their roles, organisations focus on risk management and quick responses, while communities desire support that aligns with their priorities and dignity. Aid projects must navigate these **competing expectations**, **prioritising the perspectives of the population**, who often have limited influence on decisions. A shared, people-centred framework like the CHS can help reconcile these viewpoints effectively. The CHS outlines nine quality and accountability commitments that define **what people in crisis can expect from aid actors**. It provides a clearer, people-centred understanding of good interventions and fosters a common language among various stakeholders. Below are the definitions of Quality and Accountability provided in the CHS 2024.


Quality	A set of characteristics that ensures that the support provided to people and communities meets their implied or stated needs and expectations and respects the dignity of people.
Accountability	The process of using power responsibly, taking account of and being held accountable by different stakeholders, primarily those who are affected by the exercise of such power. Accountability means putting people and communities at the centre of decisions on issues that affect them, as described in the nine commitments of the CHS.

*** ### **Who is the CHS and the COMPASS made for ?** The CHS is and will remain a **voluntary standard**. Any organisation, formal or informal, or group of individuals involved in assisting people and communities in situations of crisis or vulnerability are invited to draw inspiration from the Core Humanitarian Standard and the Quality & Accountability COMPASS and can apply it. The recommendations, good practices, and tools shared in this Wiki are therefore intended for the **entire aid community**, in the most inclusive sense. *** ### **How can the CHS help implement quality and accountability principles in the context of intervention? How does CHS support decisions?** The concepts of quality and accountability encompass various interconnected issues:

		Cover image
Changes	Enhance the living conditions of affected people while building trust with stakeholders.	noun-environment-4967815.png
Management	Minimise internal issues and use resources effectively.	noun-good-management-6551118.png
Relationships	Act responsibly towards affected individuals, funders, partners, staff, and civil society.	noun-relationship-6177147.png

If you are involved in projects for crisis-affected or vulnerable communities, you'll face challenges in applying quality and accountability. Key questions include: * How to make sure I respond to actual needs and expectations in respect of humanitarian principles ? * How to monitor evolutions in the needs and broader context, while ensuring protection and adherence to Do No Harm? * How to design participatory projects that align and adapt with community priorities? * How to responsibly implement projects amid uncertainty and change? * How to enhance synergy with all stakeholders while consolidating local actors' roles and capacities? * How to address cross-cutting commitments (age, gender, disability, protection, environment) meaningfully? * How to identify both positive and negative impacts of projects and learn from experience? * How to achieve all this amid heavy workloads, limited resources, high turnover, and contextual constraints? While the humanitarian and development sector offers many tools and guidelines for quality and accountability, organisations often struggle to identify what is essential and feasible for their needs. The CHS provides a shared reference framework that helps actors prioritise what really matters in a given context. *** ### **360 degrees of Quality and Accountability** People can be affected by crises in various ways and should be recognised as **rights-holders and active participants in their lives**. Humanitarian and development aid **must complement**, not replace, local capacities and responsibilities, **emphasising the role** of local actors, including the population, civil society, and authorities.\ \ In complex operational contexts with multiple actors, it’s essential to **clarify roles** within the response value chain, including providers of aid, funding agencies, MEAL teams, and evaluators. All actors, regardless of their organisational status, **share responsibility** for the quality and accountability of the response and must work together cohesively.\ \ Quality and accountability improve when actors **collaborate effectively in a coherent and complementary way**. The CHS offers a **common reference** that supports dialogue and enhances interoperability among funding and implementation systems. Interoperability involves effective interaction and information sharing among diverse systems to foster collective learning and improved project outcomes.