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Download PDF Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) in its observation report on the relief operations in the Sidr-affected areas brought allegations of irregularities, corruption, mismanagement and lack of coordination.
The TIB said it found that local body members embezzled relief materials, there were lack of proper assessment before disbursing relief, low if not zero distribution of relief in remote or inaccessible areas, preference of a number of NGOs in operating among its own members, beneficiaries or coverage areas only.
It observed, “Relief being manipulated as vote banks by the local government representatives.”
The TIB gave its observation through the report titled “Integrity in Humanitarian Assistance: Issues and Benchmarks” at a roundtable discussion at the BIAM auditorium in the city yesterday. It urged the government to bring integrity in humanitarian assistance, saying that without transparency and accountability relief work would not be fully successful.
“Some affected families were over-supplied due to nepotism and lack of coordination and monitoring, while others received none,” the TIB said.
It said a number of NGOs were disbursing loan in the name of relief while a few NGOs were allegedly creating pressure on victims for payments.
It said in some areas relief medicines were being sold to local drug stores.
TIB Board of Trustees Chairman Prof Muzaffer Ahmad presided over the roundtable. TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, Prof ATM Mahbub of Dhaka University, Muhammad Nizam Uddin of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), Azhar Ali of Water Aid, Fatema Hasan of Canadian International Development Agency and advocate Maleka Parvin also spoke on the occasion.
The TIB in its report said, “Allegations of nepotism and abuse of power have been raised from different corners regarding of VGF card. According to the media reports, local public representatives like UP members and chairmen with the help of government officials are found to be manipulating the list–the former for political mileage in the next election, and the latter for bribery.”
It was also alleged that though multiple members of some families may have received VGF cards, a large number of other eligible people failed to be registered.
A number of public representatives of Union Parishads, their relatives and a few government officials were arrested in connection with corruption especially misappropriation of relief materials, it said.
It was also alleged that in some cases local representatives threatened Sidr victims of consequences if they protested against corruption in distribution of relief materials.
Prof Muzaffer Ahmad urged the government to ensure accountability in relief work for the Sidr-affected people.
“Corruption in distribution process includes relief distribution among political supporters, delivery of less than actual entitlement, misappropriation by fake outfits, diverting materials and selling those on the black market, distribution of outdated and inappropriate relief materials, and connivance of various actors in pilferage,” TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said.
He said irregularities in selection of affected areas and beneficiaries at local level are often guided by vested interests including political interests.
Remote and inaccessible places are left out of relief operations. Patronage of influential individuals including public representatives and institutions within or outside the government is often a pre-requisite for becoming eligible for receiving relief, he added.
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