Our Accountability

Dedication to accountability and optimum transparency is central to our work, at an operational and management level. First and foremost we are accountable to the communities with whom we work. Good communication is key to achieving optimum transparency and we encourage open and honest dialogue, and listen carefully to people’s needs, ideas and feedback. Donor accountability is similarly important and we work hard to maintain and develop appropriate and effective reporting mechanisms. In addition to producing individual reports as necessary, each year we look forward to the publication of our annual report, providing a comprehensive account of our activities, finances, reflections and future goals.  We continually achieve excellent results, monitored internally and externally by professional auditing bodies.   

The NWHO properly maintains documents pertaining to financial transactions (balance sheets, income & expenditure statements etc.) in an easily retrievable form. Salaries and Petty cash registers, Fixed Assets Register etc. are regularly maintained. The audit is the review mechanism that provides assurance to senior management on the effectiveness of internal controls as well as coordinating the finance management process within the organization. It is done every year by professionally qualified accountants. The names of banks and auditors of the organization are circulated to the Board members. An Annual audit is conducted regularly and the audit report is duly circulated to the Board members.

General Principles

1. Code of Conduct for International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief

NWHO operates to internationally agreed standards and is a signatory to the Code of Conduct for The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief. It aims to maintain the high standards of independence, effectiveness and impact to which disaster-response NGOs aspire.

As signatory to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non Governmental Organizations in Disaster Relief, our staff and volunteers abide to the 10 Principles of the Code of Conduct which are:

1. The Humanitarian imperative comes first.
   
   
2. Aid is given regardless of the race, creed or nationality of the recipients and without adverse distinction of any kind. Aid priorities are calculated on the basis of need alone.
   
   
3. Aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint.
   
   
4. We shall endeavour not to act as instruments of government foreign policy.
   
   
5. We shall respect culture and custom.
   
   
6. We shall attempt to build disaster response on local capacities.
   
   
7. Ways shall be found to involve programme beneficiaries in the management of relief aid.
   
   
8. Relief aid must strive to reduce future vulnerabilities to disaster as well as meeting basic needs.
   
   
9. We hold ourselves accountable to both those we seek to assist and those from whom we accept resources.
   
   
10. In our information, publicity and advertising activities, we shall recognise disaster victims as dignified human beings, not hopeless objects.

2. WANGO : Code of Ethics and Conduct for NGOs

We comply with and support The WANGO Code of Ethics and Conduct for NGOs. As a Supporters of Code of Ethics and Conduct for NGOs, NWHO keeps its operation committed to The Code of Ethics & Conduct for NGOs, elaborated by the World Association of Non-   Governmental Organizations (WANGO).

Summary: The WANGO code of ethics and conduct is designed to be broadly applicable to the worldwide NGO community. It is a set of fundamental principles, operational principles, and standards to guide the actions and management of non-governmental organizations working in different sectors and regions. It includes issues such as human rights, transparency and accountability, good governance, human resources and public trust, among others. The Committee of the Code of Ethics has recently completed a Compliance Manual (June 2009), which will work as a checklist and catalyst for staff to reflect on and discuss the core principles, standards and ways of conducting operations. This manual will form the basis for a self-certification program to be launched in 2009.

Our Commitment to Donors

When you give to NWHO, you can be assured of our commitment to:

• Use your resources as you direct us or to contact you if your funds must be redirected.
• Promptly receipt all donations and personally acknowledge your stewardship.
• Keep you informed about the progress of the work so you can witness the results of your investment.
• Provide annual financial statements and submit to a yearly audit by a recognized, independent auditing firm.

We maintain open financial records, so you can request a financial summary or an audited financial statement any time. Please email info@newworldhope.org