Corruption of tsunami funds a concern
JAKARTA, Indonesia -- As relief officials struggle to reach homeless tsunami survivors, another concern is quietly making the rounds of donor meetings: the threat of corruption.
The United Nations and aid groups say they have seen little evidence of local officials skimming funds or reselling relief supplies in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and other hard-hit countries. Still, they fear the issue could discourage some people from contributing to the recovery effort.
"I think we're more concerned that the image of it would hold people back from sending money because they fear the money would end up in the wrong pockets," Michael Elmquist, head of U.N. relief efforts in Indonesia's Aceh province, said Wednesday.
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The United Nations and aid groups say they have seen little evidence of local officials skimming funds or reselling relief supplies in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and other hard-hit countries. Still, they fear the issue could discourage some people from contributing to the recovery effort.
"I think we're more concerned that the image of it would hold people back from sending money because they fear the money would end up in the wrong pockets," Michael Elmquist, head of U.N. relief efforts in Indonesia's Aceh province, said Wednesday.
Read more here
Sridhar Mahadevan at 6:10:00 am |
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If you want to send money, make sure it goes to a relief effort that does not give it to the UN or the country directly.