1.4 HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES
Humanitarian accountability
Humanitarian accountability concerns the responsible use of
power, authority and resources.
It aims to ensure that the needs, concerns, interests and capacities of
beneficiaries, staff, partners and other stakeholders are reflected in what
we do, how we do it, and the ultimate outcomes of humanitarian action.
Consider:
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Who you are responsible for and who you are accountable to?
What are your responsibilities and how are they being met?
The mechanisms needed to ensure these responsibilities are met.
The processes needed to enable corrective action where appropriate.
Effective accountability and responsible use of power requires:
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Decision-making processes which involve those who will be affected
by the decisions made.
Appropriate communication systems that ensure those affected by
decisions, proposals and actions are fully informed, taking into account
technology limitations and language requirements.
Processes that give equal access and consideration to all groups in
raising their concerns and seeking redress or compensation.
Seven principles of accountability
1. Commitment to humanitarian standards and rights
Commitment to respect and foster humanitarian standards and the rights of
beneficiaries.
2. Setting standards and building capacity
Provide a framework of accountability for stakeholders.
Establish and periodically review and revise standards and performance indicators.
Provide appropriate training in the use and implementation of standards.
3. Communication
Consult and inform stakeholders, particularly beneficiaries and staff, about the
standards adopted, planned programmes and mechanisms for addressing concerns.
4. Participation in programmes
Involve beneficiaries in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of
programmes and report on progress, subject only to serious operational constraints.
5. Monitoring and reporting on compliance
Involve beneficiaries and staff in the monitoring and revision of standards.
Regularly monitor and evaluate compliance with standards, using robust processes.
Regularly report to stakeholders, including beneficiaries in an appropriate form on
the compliance with standards.
6. Addressing complaints
Facilitate a safe, reliable complaint and redress process for beneficiaries and staff.
7. Implementing Partners
Commitment to implementing these principles, including through implementing
partners.
Adapted from the HAP Standard in Accountability and Quality Management © 2010 HAP
HUMANITARIAN
ACCOUNTABILITY
INITIATIVES
Humanitarian
Accountability
Partnership
International
HAP is an international
self-regulatory
membership body
committed to reaching
the highest standards of
accountability and
quality management.
Active Learning
Network for
Accountability and
Performance in
Humanitarian Action
ALNAP aims to improve
humanitarian
performance through
real-time learning and
accountability, including:
 Review of
Humanitarian
Action series
Listen
First
Aims to enable NGOs to
be more accountable to
the people they serve.
The Listen First
Framework sets out 4
principles of what
accountability means in
practical terms:
1. Providing
information publicly
2. Involving people in
making decisions
3. Listening (feedback
and complaints)
4. Staff attitudes and
behaviours
Additional resources on the All In Diary website or CD:
Web links for further information
The 2010 HAP Standard in Accountability and Quality
Management, © 2010 HAP International;
Principles of Accountability poster © 2010 HAP International
Listen First Framework © 2008 MANGO and Concern;
Accountability, Planning and Learning System © 2006 Action
Aid
ALNAP: www.alnap.org/publications/meta_evaluation.htm
HAP: www.hapinternational.org/projects/publications.aspx
MANGO: http://www.listenfirst.org/materials
Action Aid ALPS: http://www.actionaid.org/main.aspx?PageId=261
Listening project:
http://www.cdainc.com/cdawww/project_profile.php?pid=LISTEN&pna
me=Listening%20Project
© 2011 All In Diary - www.allindiary.org
3rd edition - 2011