Call to update CHS to remain adaptable in evolving humanitarian landscape

As the Core Humanitarian Quality and Accountability Standard (CHS) is currently undergoing a revision, drawing global attention and action, participants at a workshop on CHS revision in Bangladesh on Monday called for updating and implementing the CHS to remain adaptable in the evolving humanitarian landscape.

They also emphaised the need for readiness and resilience in facing future crises while upholding their commitments to the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), during the workshop organised jointly by CHS Alliance Secretariat in Switzerland and Bangladesh's COAST Foundation at a Dhaka city hotel.

The CHS, introduced in December 2014, has evolved into a critical benchmark for humanitarian organisations across the world, with the aim of improving the quality and accountability of humanitarian aid delivery.

Emphasising the need for prioritising local resources and reporting systems, participants at the workshop advocated for a harmonised approach to simplify humanitarian standards' understanding and user-friendly application.

They also expressed concerns about global aid cuts and emphasised the need for readiness and resilience in facing future crises through upholding CHS commitments.

Md Mizanur Rahman, director general of the Department of Disaster Management; Aleyda Valdes, humanitarian affairs advisor at the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Bangladesh; and Trude Strand, Director of Policy Impact and Advocacy at the CHS Alliance spoke at the event as designated guests, according to a press release.

Bonaventure Gbetoho Sokpoh, senior advisor on CHS Alliance and Outreach of CHS Alliance, presented the keynote at the workshop chaired by disaster expert Nayeem Gawher Wahra and moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, executive director of COAST Foundation.

Sokpoh stressed the importance of ensuring the CHS revision remains relevant.

Aleyda Valdes underscored the significance of humanitarian principles, gender balance and accountability to affected populations.

Trude Strand emphasised the critical importance of quality and accountability in aid, focusing on people-centred responses.

Nayeem Gawher Wahra urged for greater alignment between government regulations and the CHS to make it standard user-friendly for crisis-affected communities.

Mizanur Rahman acknowledged Bangladesh's commendable progress in humanitarian response and its potential to further strengthen aid efforts through adherence to the Core Humanitarian Standard.

BRAC, CARE, UNICEF and Oxfam also had participation in the CHS revision workshop.

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